FRUIT GROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2652, 6 November 1909, Page 3

FRUIT GROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

THE MEETING AT AVELLINGTON

• [ Pick Pricks Association.! WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. At the Fruitgrowers’ Conference, the Stoke Association desired to know what effect the opening of the Panama Canal would have upon the New Zealand fruit market. , Mr. Kirk said the deputation had already obtained a great deal of information upon the subject, but lie did not think they need worry about the question at this conference. They could not state anything but could only theorise at present. He promised to obtain all the information l\e could on the question for presentation to the next conference. It was suggested that the Department- might advise orchardists as to the most suitable varieties which should be grown in the various localities for an export trade. Mr. Kirk said lie would forward the growers monthly the prices paid in foreign markets for different classes of fruit. Mr. Boucher, pomologist, expressed the opinion that New Zealand could develop a very profitable trade in apples and pears with California during the off season in that country, the same as was now done with onions. They could produce in New Zealand an apple equal in quality, if no't superior, to the apple of California. He was quite certain from his 1 experience of both, countries that they could develop a very profitable trade with San Francisco and California. At the present time the steamers running did not have cool storage, consequently they could not send stone fruit as well. The organisation of the industry, and the taking of steps to prevent the .glutting of markets and the consequent lowering of prices, was discussed. Air. Kirk said that he did not think there would be any difficulty in reviving the issue by the Department of monthly bulletins, stating the prospects of crops in the different districts, provided the* fruit-growers co-operated, in sending in their reports. . Mr. Boucher urged the necessity of a central agency being established in the different centres, thus -preventing the indiscriminate sending, of fruits to unsuitable markets. If this were done they should get an increased output and better prices. It was decided to ask • associations to hold their.. meetings early eadi month, and to forward reports of the cm to ib-0 Agricultural D?, partment. " , / ' The question of federation was opeiri ed by Mr. AV. Lightband, who said that something would -have to be done to prevent a chronic glutting of our markets with Ideal fruit, and also to contend with foreign competition. He moved that all the fruit-growers’ associations of New Zealand form a federation under the title of the Dominion Fruit-growers’ Federation, and that a central executive be appointed. The motion was agreed to. Mr. Izard moved, “That this, conference place on record its appreciation of the valuable assistance given to the farming industry by the (Department of Agriculture, in, issuing circulars, and by the visits of inspectors to the various districts, which have loci to increased productivity of the land, and emphasises the conviction that efforts should be made to facilitate the marketing of farm produce in and beyond the. Dominion, by introducing a system of through booking by rail and sea; that the Cabinet be urged- to instruct the Railway Department to work out a scheme for through booking between stations and ports in either or both Islands, between such other ports or stations as would tend to increase the volume of trade or passenger traffic, arid between the ports of the United Kingdom and the Dominiori.” Mr. F. Sissons said if such facilities were granted as they asked for, growers would sup-'- the people with cheap fruit. 8

The delegates unanimously endorsed the motion, which was carried. ■■ A deputation was appointed to lay the matter before the Premier and the Ministers of Agriculture and Railways also to. be communicated with.

The conference appointed the Hawke’s Bay Association as the provisional committee of the Dominion Fruit-growers’ Federation, to draw up the constitution, and submit rules to the next conference at Hastings in October, 1910. A remit urging the advisability of opening wholesale ,and retail fruit stores in the principal towns in New Zealand was,postponed to the next, conference. The fruitgrowers’ .Conference concluded to-day. . The question of effecting improvements in the handling of fruit by .shipping companies was discussed. It was considered steamer freights' should be reduced, and delegates were appointed to act with the Brokers’ Federation in making representations (in (the desired direction. It was also resolved that it should be a •recommendation - to . the Agrieultural Department that; all future inspectors be advertised for and should pass a suitable examination as to efficiency. Mr Boucher, Government pomologist. addressed the conference. ) He urged the importance of an arrangement for marketing fruit' to avoid gluts in the market. He thought growers should organise for the appointment of a central agent in each centre and the establishment in those places of fruitchambers. 'An experiment now being conducted in Auckland showed that very few varieties of apples and pears were unsuitable for cool storage. There was unlimited demand for cooking apples on- the West Coast of England.