POTATO GROWERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 256, 26 September 1940, Page 12

POTATO GROWERS.

CONFERENCE WITH FARMERS’ UNION.

A ■ meeting of potato growers in the Mnkerun and Ilorowhenua districts met representatives of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at Levin on Tuesday evening to discuss matters of common interest with the special object of ascertaining to what extent (lie Farmers’ Union could help the potato growers in their particular problems. Mr C. Webb, president, of the Levin branch, occupied the chair, and in attendance wore Messrs A. Seifert and R. W. Priest (president and secretary, respectively, of the Mannwtau Potato Growers’ Association), Mr A. P. Stuart, (representing {ho Manawatu merchants), Mr H. J., McLoavey (provincial president) and Mr L. I. Plimmcr (provincial secretary!, together, with members in the district interested in potato growing The provincial secretary of the union stated that there was urgent need for organisation among the potato growers for the protection of their markets, and the union had been asked to assist these growers to organise themselves. Ho explained that in this district there was already an organisation doing particularly good work for its members, and it seemed uncertain as to whether this organisation should he extended or whether a scpnratq organisation for' the Levin and Otaki districts should be set up under the wing of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

Mr McLeavey gave information lie had received in Wellington on the matter, and from what ho had heard there was no doubt there was a great deal to be gained by” the potato growers organising themselves, and he felt the union could do a groat deal for them. The president and secretary of the Potato Growers’ Association both outlined the work which hail boon done, stating that their system of tags was becoming a recognised standard throughout the North Island, and had not only been instrumental in raising the standard of potatoes in the Manawatu district, but had also ensured a better return for the growers. They gave details of the functioning of thoir organisation and expressed the opinion that it would be better to extend their operations down the coa6t to Paekakariki rather than set. up another organisation altogether. Mr Stuart gave some interesting details regarding the experiences of the merchants in respect of tag potatoes in the Manawatu - district, and stated that it was his confirmed opinion that potatoes marketed under the association’s system wore receiving a preferential demand from the merchants and shops. The whole matter was very fully discussed in a most friendly spirit and finally the following resolution was carried: “This meeting recommends that the Manawatu Potato Growers’ Association endeavour to bring as many as possible of the growers in the Manawatu ■ and Ilorowhenua districts within their organisation, and that stops be taken to link up the association with the Farmers’ Union by providing representation on the branch executive arid provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union; that the Farmers’ Union do its best to sponsor membership _ and promote the interests of the Potato Growers’ Association within its district, j