PRODUCE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 570, 28 September 1920, Page 4

PRODUCE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

ADDRESS ON MARKETING. NEW POTATO PRICES. AN OPTIMISTIC OPINION. Matters of importance to the members of the Pukekohe District Produce Growers' Association were diseussed at a general meeting held in the A. and P. Offices on Saturday night, the president, Mr. J. Russell, in the chair. Mr. Bowie, -representing Messrs. Griffiths and Co., of Wellington, delivered an address on marketing the produce, with especial reference to grading of produce. It was most essential for successful marketing that potatoes should be properly graded, say, as choice No.l and N«. 2 for early potatoes, thereby ensuring a good price for the best tubers. Lines not graded were at as disadvantage, as buyers were likely to pull the small potatoes to the top prior to auctioning. Non-graded potatoes breught from Id to 2d per lb. less than graded ones. Moreover, ungraded tubers gave a bad tone to the marts handling them. It was also most important that branding should be thoroughly honest, for it would pay in the long run. Each grower should have a bran* and a number; buyers

would then give extra for produce .ffearing a number which had previously proved to belong to a grower sending in good stuff. Weights should all be correctly stated. There was a tendency on the part of the growers to hold their produce when the market did not appear to be lively, tnough this might be due to local and temporary circumstances iu t.ie city. Consignments should. b« regular and moderate, instead of be ing spasmodic. Non-ux.irormity n ti is reject caused a liaui.ily or growers getting too muci. m hai.u and then glutting tnt rnaixct. Consignments sometimes landed a. o/t oj tne stat.me.it on the nuiuf.si. igooQS s>:.ouici oe piopen> c* vc».eu Uj the Railway Department at Ue e;. poitiug end, tnereby saieguarun.fe; against puiaging. His umams o. grading applied also to onions. Mr. Bowie expies»ed his surprise that the local farmers did not go ii. for green peas. They were 9s pei peck (71b.) in Wellington last week. Also, French beans could be produced equally well in Pukekohe, which realised not less than Is Bd,lb. in November. Cauliflowers were ranging from 25s to 30s per sack in Wellington. One man was selling £6O worti. weekly. Cabbages reached 10s to 14s per case, produced in Lower Hutt. All these things could be grown better in Pukekohe, for samples he had seen locally were far superior to those he had seen in Wellington. In answer to questions, Mr. Bowie said the average acreage by Hawke's Bay growers of green peas was five acres. . Regarding the prospect of potato prices, he was somewhat amused at the pessimism prevailing locally. Immediately the new potatoes came on to the market one would not be able to give the old ones away, much less sell them. His firm took 150 sacks for a trial at 6s a sack, a lot at Is a sack, and the remainder were buried by a contractor for manuring sandhills. There were many acres of potatoes in Canterbury that were not yet dug; they would be dug—but for pig feed. The supplies of new potatoes were not yet sufficient to bring down the price of old ones, but it was only a matter of time when this would occur, and then the consumers would soon forget that there such things as old potatoes. His firm were trying to organise the merchants so that bags would no i longer be "sold in." I

Various members said that in Auckland some auctioneers refunded half-cost on bags, and others gave nothing at all. Some said bags were charged against buyers, and others said they were not.

Speaking on commissions, Mr Bowie said that the increase in wages (storemen raised from £3 to £4 15s), stationery and everything else had risen, and therefore the marts had to raise their fees.

A member stated that the Wellington commissions were to be 10 per cent., whereas Auckland were at 7^

Mr. Ryan averred that the farmer could not put all his extra costs on to his produce. Male labour cost 15s per day and female 12s. A farfier sent away so many tons of potatoes, having no assurance as to what price he was to get for them. You would not catch a merchant consigning a ton of wire if he did not have it down in black and white what price he was going to be paid. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Bowie for his address.

The secretary, Mr. C. J. Lyne, read correspondence from various firms in respect to organising sales. On the proposal of Mr. Salter, seconded by Mr. Ryan, it was decided to register. ,

In respect to special meetings, it was agreed that the same be given notice of in the "Times."

The following officers were elected: President, Mr. J. Russell; vice-presi-dent, Mr. A. Donald; secretary, Mr. C. J. Lyne; committee, Messrs. H. E. Salter, P. Miller, A. G. Rowles, S. J. Ryan, 0. Heerdegen, S. F. Hoddinott. The president urged that members should make strong efforts to increase their numbers.

Messrs. Ryan, Hoddinott and Donald were deputed to go to Wellington to represent the association, these members insisting on paying their own expenses.

With a view to enlarging the membership and drawing all those interested together, it was recommended that the committee visit various centres_ and call meetings, at which the objects of the association could be explained.