CITRUS FRUIT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 9

CITRUS FRUIT

PROPOSAL FOR INQUIRY GROWERS’ URGENT MEETING (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Wednesday An urgent general meeting of citrus growers to be held in Auckland on September 13 is expected to urge a public inquiry into the lemon industry, with special reference to the net return to growers and prices of lemons to the public also on the agenda is a proposal that the Government should be approached for a direct grant of, say, 2s 6d per fullbearing lemon tree to enable growers to bring their orchards back into production. Another suggestion is that the Government should be asked to institute immediately a case levy to provide adequate funds for the maintenance of a strong growers’ organisation, to which every grower would contribute. A basis suggested is an annual levy to be deducted from the first pay-out due to growers each season, with a minimum of 5s up to 60 cases, rising by Id a case to a maximum of £2 for 500 cafes or over. Another suggestion is that growers should set up a grapefruit and sweet orange section with a view to preventing undue interference with the industry. Finally, it is proposed to consider the question whether the existing Auckland Citrus Growers’ Association is a suitable organisation for the purpose for which it is intended.