FRUIT INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 January 1931, Page 2

FRUIT INDUSTRY

MEETING OF ADVISORY BOARD

VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED At a meeting of the Nelson Fruit Advisory Board the question of the use of mechanical appliances for fruit loading was again considered. It is gratifying to note that mechanical conveyors are being more extensively used for conveyance of fruit to ships side. A conveyor ball bearing, as in use for other goods, is urgently needed for the conveyance of fruit from the ship’s side to the ship’s hold. With a view to the adoption of such it was decided to continue investigations. BAY LOADING Messrs Tasker and Levin wrote undertaking to deliver up to 30,000 cases of fruit per 48 hours to ships in the Bay at a charge of 3d per case. This offer the growers are unable to take advantage of by reason of the Is per case extra charge of the shipping companies for Bay loading. Arrangements were finalised for additional office accommodation at Motueka juid Mapua. LOCAL MARKETING The Government’s attitude regarding the proposed Fruit Standardisation Bill was considered and also the decision of Otago to take a poll under the provision of the Control Act. It was decided that the representatives present bring this matter under the consideration of their respective association with the view also of appointing a committee to act with Air Dicker, the Nelson representative on the Federation Internal Sales Committee. NELSON LOADING

The circulars returned from growers indicated 168 for Nelson loading and 44 for Wellington loading; 100 circulars were not returned. The circulars were issued and many returned before hearing Mr J. Brown’s statements to the effect that Nelson loading was generally disadvantageous to the growers’ interests. RAILWAY AND FRUIT CARRIAGE Messrs Dicker and Brunt were appointed to interview the traffic manager m relation to the matter. STOKE COOL STORE Cool store space was secured for 40,000 cases. Space was used for 34,000 cases apples and 3000 cases pears. STRAWBOARDS A ruling of the Control Board was sought and permission obtained for the use of four separate pieces of strawboards instead of one piece for growers who so desired. POOLING The ballot paper as issued by the Control Board having no identification mark failed to indicate the opinion of any district, as distinct from provincial, regarding pooling. All the members of the Board were unanimous in the opinion that the only just and fair way of marketing the growers’ fruit was by the adoption of pooling and that sectional pooling; Motueka, Central and Nelson pools, should be adopted at first, to be. folio wed by provincial pools if found later.to be more advantageous. ' rif .; . _ During the discussion it was agreed that good and had markets would affect account sales in sectional pools as in. individual shipping. A majority of growers at present seemed to favour sectional pools. DRAWBACK OF DUTY The chairman reported that the Federation was negotiating with the Government and was hopeful that the duty would not be collected until the close of the export season and then on all imported cases not exported; failing that rebate of duty to be made on each shipment of fruit overseas. GENERAL A series of meetings is to be arranged throughout the province to be addressed by Mr Napier. It was reported that the Director of Horticulture would be taking steps to ensure standard and uniform packing where at present it did not exist. In view of the information given by the Chairman of the Control Board,_ it was decided to issue a circular inviting growers to stipulate what fruit they wished shipped from Nelson and That all fruit so shipped should be restricted to precooled fruit for the United Kingdom only. It was found that contributions from the Federation for the purpose of bird poisoning were unobtainable and that any contributions would have to come from the local association’s funds. LECTURES

It was decided to ask Dr. Cunningham to give a lecture in each of the three centres after the packing season. It was decided that a representative of the industry should be appointed on the Harbour Board during Mr Brown’s absence; also that the growing importance of the Mapua port entitled that district to representation. It was also -decided to take steps to secure the attendance of an accredited representative of the industry on the occasion of the visit of members of the Ministry to the district. Mr Salmon asked that before the appointment of a representative in Mr Brown’s place the growers should be afforded an opportunity of sending in nominations for the position. It was agreed that in the meantime Mr Haining should fill the vacancy. Mr Haining submitted a proposal for a field day at the experimental orchard. It was agreed to make the necessary arrangements, with the approval of the Department, at a later date.