FRUITGROWERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 January 1931, Page 2

FRUITGROWERS

MEETING OF HILLS UNION CHAIRMAN OF CONTROL BOARD PRESENT A general meeting of the Hills Fruitgrowers’ Union was held at the Bluffs Co-op. shed on Monday evening for the purpose of hearing Air J. L. Brown, (chairman of the Fruit Control Board) on many aspects of the fruitgrowing business prior to his departure for London. There was a very large attendance of growers, some of whom came from the outlying districts. Mr E. T. Nottage, president of the Union, occupied the chair, and in opening the meeting stated that owing to developments in the fruit industry it was desirable to have another conference with Mr Brown before leaving for London. Mr Brown, in replying to the chairman’s opening remarks, said that he was prepared to answer any questions put to him rather than that he should address the gathering in the ordinary way. Questions flowed in thick and fast and the meeting did not end until after 11 p.m. Some of the questions were replied to by Mr Brown at considerable length. In reply to one on the pooling of fruit Mr Brown said that arrangements would be made to give growers as much information as possible in connection with account sales. It was suggested by Mr Forsyth that a committee of growers should be formed for the Central District with power to examine account sales and to supervise the working and results of the pool. Mr Dicker (chairman of the Advis ory Board) said that growers desired particulars as to varieties of fruit sold and prices obtained. The question of handling Otago fruit by the Control Board was referred to aiid Mr Brown stated that Otago growers had expressed an almost unanimous desire to have their fruit placed under the control of the Fruit Board, but that so far no decision had been arrived at by the Board; there were legal difficulties in the way and the Board did not possess the power to make and collect a levy from any person outside the Control district. Anyhow, all that could be done would be to allow the Board’s London agent to distribute Otago fruit at that end.

Messrs McKee and Dicker thought it only a reasonable thing that considering the possible benefits; Otago should pay the same levy as the rest of the Dominion. In reply to a question as to whether we are building up a clientele for a private firm in London which is acting private firm in London who is acting as the agent of the Control Board on the Continent of Europe, and as to what will be our position in say five years’ time if the present arrangements fall through, Mr Brown stated: “All our fruit will be consigned to the Board’s officer in London on an optional Bill of Lading and the Board is not losing control of the fruit at any time. If it is found after the scheme is floated that the 8 per cent to be paid for services rendered on the Continent is too much amendments can be made. Our business is not being given over to others.” Mr E. T. James referred to an interview in the “Evening Mail” of the 16th inst. wherein it was stated that one offer alone was for 120,000 cases of apples at the average price of 13s c.i.f. Hamburg and payment plus exchange would have been received before the fruit left New Zealand. Mr Brown, in replying, said tli*t he could quite easily sell 120,000 cases in Germany at the same price and on the same conditions as last year, but there were three conditions which precluded any further sales under this head, as followsNo sales of fruit except through this one agent. This firm to have first refusal of fruit for Germany, also the right of refusal for the year 1932; and a further condition that we should not consign any fruit through Holland. The Board, continued Mr Brown, refused to sign anything like this again, and stated that present arrangements for the continent did not shut out forward sales NELSON LOADING

In reply to a question asking him to define his attitude on Nelson Loading, Mr Brown stated that in the present circumstances growers were losing money and incuring risk by placing their fruit on Home boats at Nelson. He referred to the disastrous experience of the growers who shipped their fruit at Nelson, by the Tasmania and said that the Government guarantee would be refused if the ships took more than 12 or 14 days steaming round the coast after leaving Nelsou ; the fruit must also be cool stored before being placed on board the liner. Before he could support Nelson loading it would be necessary to deepen the Cut, to extend the berthage accommodation and to erect a cool store with space for 120.000 boxes. Growers supported Mr Brown and it was stated that the Advisory Board endorsed his action. It was also stated that the Acting-chairman of the Harbour Board suggested a special rate to be levied over the fruit areas to pay lor these harbour improvements. In reference to his absence from New Zealand Mr Brown said that it was impossible to sav how long lie would be awav; a statement which brought up the" question of a substitute on the Control Board while Mr Brown is awav On the motion of Messrs James and Dicker it was unanimously decided that ‘’This meeting of fruitgrowers makes representation _to the Control Board that no vacancies on the board be filled otherwise than by persons regularly nominated and balloted for in the district affected, and that it is a recommendation that any person accepting nomination should be willing to addiess at least three meetings of growers, giving an opportunity for questions aiul answers regarding the candidates views on export matters.” ■ A motion was slso carried that rms meeting urges the Federation to make immediate and strong representation to the Minister of Customs that the proposed duty, approximately 6d per case on imported case timber that is not reexported, be reduced to 3d per case. Mr Brown intimated Ins intention ot resignin' l ' his seat on the Nelson Harbour Board before returning to Eng--I,ITh 0 meeting concluded with hearty votes of thanks (on the motion o Mr .T. H. Brunt) to the chairman and MiBrown.