WAIKATO FRUIT-GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 335, 1 September 1898, Page 2

WAIKATO FRUIT-GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Tiik quarterly meeting of the Waikato Fruit-growers' Association was held at Ohaupo on Tuesday, Mr Farrer, (President) in the chair. A letter was received from Mr Johns, apologising for not being able to attend. but he forwarded the following report, which was read to the meeting by the chairman :—-To Awiumitn. August '2O, IS9S. — The .Secretary Waikato Fruitgrowers' Association.—Dear Sir, —I beg to inform you that, in compliance with the wish of the hxccutivo of the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Union, Mr H. Sharp, of Waikomiti, and myself, went to Wellington on Monday, Bth hist., as delegates representing northern fruit-growers. to give evidence before a Joint, Committee of both Houses of the Legislature touching the merits or otherwise of the new Orchard and Garden l'ests Bill, especially us affecting northern growers. Upon our arrival in Wellington we received a cordial greeting from Mr Lang, our member, who, as a member of our Association and an enthusiastic fruit-grower himself, wv.s most unremitting in giving us every possible assistance and attention ; while Mr Massey, M.H.E., Franklin, and MiBollard, M.H.R., Eden, also rendered us valuable aid. The proposed Bill, as most fruit-growers are, no doubt, aware, exempts Auckland from its operation, but can be brought into force at any time up n the application of the county councils; and, though this exemption would—apparently—operate in favour of Auckland, it virtually prohibits the sale of Auckland fruit in the southern markets of the Colony. We had not been many hours in Wellington before we were aware that all the evidence hitherto placed before the Committee had been in favour of the Bill. Many southern growers had been sent for by the Agricultural Department' to give evidence in favour of the measure, and these men, knowing that the Bill did not deal with the apple scale (mylilaspis pomorumj —one of the very worst pests known, and with which southern orchards are simply saturated—had not the slightest objection to the passing of a measure that would have the effect of prohibiting the sale of northern fruit in all the great southern markets, while it allowed their scale-infested fruit to be distributed throughout the whole colony. Many of these growers also simply related their own individual experiences and opinions, not being in any way authorised or accredited by any section or combination of growers to tender evidence regarding the Bill. You will readily understand, therefore, that the task set before the northern delegates was no easy one. We were incessantly engaged in the task of explaining to members the hardship and injustice the measure would inflict on northern growers, and our examination before the Committee was a long, searching, and exhaustive one. We believe, however, that the result of our visit will be that the measure, even if passed at all this session, which is by no means certain, will be very considerably modified and revised, more especially as regards the arbitrary power given to inspectors and the drastic character of the Bill gencr ally ; and we did not fail to point out that one of the principal benefits which would accrue from the establishment of an Experimental Agricultural and Horticultural station in Auckland would be that therein the experts would be able to demonstrate the efficacy or otherwise of the remedies they prescribe for the suppression of insect and fungoid pests. Once let it be shown tint the remedial measures they advocate can be success fully carried out on sound commercial linen, and fruitgrowers would gladly welcome any legislation necessiry for the purpose—until then, however, it would be unjust to force us to follow where the expert* are unable to lead. lam .sorry to say that these " experts," mere theorists themselves, have got the Agricultural Department to believe so implicitly in their theories and in themselves, that little weight is attached to the utterances or opinions of ordinary practical growers. Mr Blackmore, especially, upon whose suggestions the present. Bill was, I believe, partly drafted, seems to be taken as the immaculate embodiment of perfection, and is, I understand, to be at once sent North, to teach benighted growers the rudiments of their profession. It is deeply to be regretted that such a state of affairs should prevail, as I feel convinced that the Department is sincerely anxious to further the interests of farmers and fruitgrowers, and it appears to me that a more frequent and unreserved interchange of ideas between the representatives of the latter and the administrative officials of the Department would bear good fruit. Other matters that occupied our attention while iu Wellington were enquiring into the methods of selling fruit at Wellington, the question of fruit evaporation and the establishment of an experimental station in Auckland. Some very useful information re fruit disposal, was supplied us by the Wellington fruit, salesmen, the full particulars of which I can supply later on. With referenae to fruit evaporation, Mr Ritchie, the Secretary for Agriculture, informed me that the Department have now a suitable, up-to-date drier and this,under the charge of an expert, will be available in Auckland at the proper time to teach those who are interested the very latest improvements in fruitdrying. The matter of an experimental station, though we hadseveral interviews on the subject, we could not succeed in advancing much. To all our arguments, the Secretary only pleaded the question of cost as being the difficulty, This he estimated at about £15,000, and doubted whether Parliament would make the necessary provision for the purpose, though he himself was personally very favourable to the scheme. We could only urge upon the Northern members to unite and press the matter to a satisfactory issue. In conclusion, I may say that we feel our mission was not entirely an unfruitful one. It is certain that but for our timely arrival in Wellington, the Orchard Bill would have passed, and this would certainly have been to the detriment of both the fruitgrowing and distributing interests of the Auckland district. The Agricutural Department have promised to pay out steam and rail fares to and from Wellington, leaving a sum of some £fj, board and lodging expenses of the two delegates to be defrayed out of the funds of the Union. (I believe Waikomiti Association are giving Is per member towards Mr Sharp's expenses) This will, no doubt, he met by a small subscription from each of the affiliated Associations.

After hearing the report Mr Johns' action was approved, and it was agreed that his expenses be paid, it not hy the Union by the Association, it being conceded that if a man was good enough to give his time for the public good, that was quite sufficient without his having to put his hand in his pocket. On the motion of the President, seconded by Mr Potts, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Johns for his report and for his trouble in going to Wellington. Re tiie next horticultural show, Mr Sharp gave notice that he would move at the next meeting that the next show be held at Te Awamutu, and complained of the apathy shown by the Cambridge branch of the Association in not taking much interest in the work of the Association.

A discussion then took place re codlin moth. Mr Johns said in a letter that he thought bandaging and picking the infected fruit would be made compulsory. The tone of the meeting was against inspectors and against legislative action being taken, as it would be more hurtful than beneficial, seeing that the moth propagates in other than apple trees and that there is no known remedy for

the pest. During the discussion a certain Government expert came in for some severe bundling.

Mr Sharp laid on the table several varieties of camellias, some of them very lieiuti'ul indeed, and also some early flowers of rhododendrons, which were much admired.

A vote of thanks to the chairman con eluded the meeting.