EXPORT OF FRUIT

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 11

EXPORT OF FRUIT

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MID-SEASON REPORT. The committoe of management of the Otago I rovineial Fruitgrowers’ Council met in the Chamber of Commerce board room on Thursday, Mr D. Leslie being in the chair. An apologj- was received from'Mr Lance Tonkin,’who had left on a world tour, and who applied tor six months’ leave of absence. The resignation of Mr W. Lind wag received and accepted with regret. lhe mid-season report for submission to members was adopted as follows:— Last year Otago’s 1930 export of apples and pears topped the 100.000 mark and it was hoped that 1931 would set a further record. Unfortunately, owing to unfav ourable weather conditions, the fruit this •' ear did not swell in many varieties to normal proportions, with the result that the output from Otago for 1931 season totalled 81.112 cases, as against 100.508 cases for 1930. a decrease of 19.396 cases. Had weather conditions been favourable it was anticipated that the total would at least have equalled last seasons. There is again an increasing measure of support from shippers, the total handled by the council being 51.000 cases, equal to 63 per cent, of the total, as against 54 per cent, last year. The ships and destinations for the council cargoes were as follows:—

Each year sees fresh additions to the list of shippers as it becomes more evident that with increasing production the local markets are being over supplied with relatively low prices. It is to be regretted that space allotments were again unsatisfactory and were the cause of much urgent correspondence by wire and letter with the Overseas Shipowners’ Committee in Wellington. In order that adequate time should be given to make suitable arrangements, the Overseas Committee has asked for an estimate of the council’s requirements early in December, and this has been supplied, the request being for four main shipments at fortnightly intervals. While it is recognised that it is practically impossible for the shipping companies to arrange ships to an exact time table date, something approximate!!’ suitable could be provided. This year there were three ships with bookings representing nearly 70 per cent, of the season’s output loading in quick succession, with the result that the Mahana was in before the Somerset completed and the Tongariro, was waiting for the Mahana to complete*. Every effort" was made to increase the space available in the Port Hobart owing to the lateness of the final ship (the Zealandic), but without success, resulting i n a heavy reduction in the quantity shipped in the last named steamer, which was too late to expect the best results on the Home markets.

Shippers have risen to the occasion and appreciation must be expressed of the manner in which all concerned met the unprecedented rush. It has meant night

and day work, seven days a week in manycases, and the committee expresses its ap preciaion also of the valuable assistance rendered by the Government graders, Messrs G. H. APTndoe and W. R. Lloyd Williams, with their capable assistants, whose services were available during the rush, no limit being set day or night. It is obvious that the shipping problem becomes more acute each year, and is coincident with the departure from the original plan by which all Otago export fruit went through one channel. It is also known that there is less inclination on the part of the Fruit Board to render assistance, and this is not unreasonable in the light of the definite antagonism of a section of the shippers in Otago to the policy of the board. VWhile every shipper has a perfect right to his own opinion on the question of control, it is not reasonable that these shippers should expect help from the Fruit Board in their shipping difficulties whilst openly oppos ing the board’s policy. By the generosity of Air P. R. Sar good, one of • the committee, the council has been able to make a special donation of £2 2s to the class for export pears and also £3 3s to one class in the poster competition of the Winter Show. The object of the poster competition is to bring out designs for the advertising of fruit as a food, in the hope that something of practical use for advertising propaganda may be secured. It has the added value of encouraging talent amongst those who are studying this type of art as a profession.

The committee wishes again to place on record the valuable assistance rendered by the Railways Department generally, with particular reference to the efficient manner in which a difficult season was handled by the Transport Department, staationm asters, and staffs. The congestion of shipping placed a great strain on the rolling stock available, but owing to the hearty co-operation of the whole of the railway staff there was not the slightest hitch in transit. The thanks of the council are also due to the local managers and staffs of the shipping companies, who have used every endeavour to relieve the pressure.

The secretary reported that the provincial conference would be held at Roxburgh on August 5, and after discussion it was decided to submit the following remits to the Dominion Conference:— “That the federation be strongly urged to utilise a greater proportion of beech timber for export.” It was pointed out that there were enormous stands of beech in the Southland forests and if cut dry, the eases from this timber were equal in appearance to any other. Mr Turner stated that the Fruitgrowers' Federation was working in close co-operation with the Sawmillers’ Federation with the result that for next soison the quantity of imported case timber would be cut down by more than half. If the Southland miller provided a suitable ease there was no doubt that large orders would be placed from the north later on. “ That if the use of corrugated pads is to be made compulsory, sufficient notice should be given to enable all shippers to s-eure ’supplies.” Correspondence from the federation indicated that there was a decided preference by overseas buvers for packs which used the pads, anil there was little chance of its being discarded. Mr Turner advised that the federation was experimenting with a local pad made from raupo fibre, and if suitable, it would use up a great amount of waste material and give employment to a considerable number of men and boys. lhat a new type or size for near package be tried out. preferably something between bushel and half-bushel size.” Mr Sargood pointed out that certain varieties for which full bushel cases were compulsory would not carry- in that form and urged some variation in the regulations.

“lhat as pear trays are now used in decreasing quantities, a standard label for export nears be used on the lines of th” apple label.”

It was resolved that the council s'rongJj’ oppose any legislation which would legaH-’e ouying in at auction, and support any action being .taken to that end A let er from Jose Peluffo, of Bu ims Aires, was submitted, advising .a duty of 30 per cent, on New Zealand apples to the Argentine, and the limitation of admission from May I to December 15. There was also a list of conditions imposed regarding certificates of cleanliness at both port of shipment and discharge.—The -hairman stated that it was obvious that with 30 per cent, dut.v and adverse exchange the Argentine market was no good to New Zealand shippers at present. The Tomato Growers’ Federation advised that the, annual conference was to be held at Wellington on July 21. It was suggested that as the Cook Islands were not considered as part of the Dominion for the purposes of the Customs Act. further effort should be made to prevent unfair competition in tomatoes from those islands.

Various other matters were conidered in committee and in conclusion the chairman referred to the gratifying support being accorded to the council in its efforts to protect the interests of Otago exporters of fruit. The results of the first shipments of Otago apples would soon be available, and he trusted that prices would compensate for the decreased output.

Apples. Pears. Total. Fordsdale— Southampton . . 225* — 225 Somerset—London 12,835 1,027 13,862 Somerset—Continent 1,002 —— 1.002 Mahaua—London 7,386 408 7,794 Alahana—Continent 823 823 Tongariro—London 7,269 937 8,206 Tongariro— Continent .. 25 25 Port Hobart— London 12.968 926 13,894 Zea landie—London 5,069 — 5,069 Zealandie— Continent .. .. 100 — 100 Totals .. .. 47,702 3,298 51,000 * C.o.p.