GROWERS’ CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1930, Page 3

GROWERS’ CONFERENCE

FRUITS AND TOMATOES

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

WELIjIAGTON, July I

The third conference of the Dominion Council Produce Growers, Ltd., was opened to-day by the Minister of .Agriculture, Air .Murdoch. /I he Minister said tli’ilt the Goverfiihent hoped that the industry would succeed, because it would mean more wealth to the community 1 , and incidentally to the Government. He hoped that his Department’s expenditure' would not be curtailed too much, because agriculture was one of tbe principal portfolios in Now Zealand to-day. He stressed the importance of tbe work of the Agricultural Department, anu paid a tribute to its officers.

Mr W. Nash M.P. suggested that the growers’ interests would be best served by helping to raise the standard of living.

Mr R. W. Hawk agreed with Mr Nash, but lie also stressed the important question of the cost of production.

Mr W. J. Poison said that the country had almost got back to pre-war prices, but it had not got back to prewar costs. If the cost of living were brought down, we could be on the high road to prosperity. A successful , year’s . wprk wa.s reported upon by E. Pope .(phrist’church). .President. The. Council, he said, had been, established -.eighteen months, and he believed that .it. would be generally agreed that it had justified 0 its formation. ; The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of. £ll. In connection, with Hailstorm Insurance for glasshouses it was pleasing to note the negotiations had been successful as the result of a deputation which v, aited on the Government, the growers now’ being able to insure their glasshouses. A bill having reference to the registration of tomato growers would probably be introduced this session, consequent upon a deputation to the Director of Horticulture. On the question of the grading of tomatoes, tl.e uirec'or had outlined a proposal for tile fair marketing association. The report and balance sheet w’ere adopted.