CONFERENCE ON FRUIT GROWING. 



61 



and we also want them to recognise that fruit growing and market 

 gardening are becoming a leading and a great national industry. 



Before sitting down I should like to refer to the question of the 

 carriage of flour. I do not think myself that the comparison between flour 

 and plums is a fair one, seeing that the fruit has to be dealt with in a 

 very special way ; express trains are provided — 



Mr. Berry : Not always. 



Mr. Idiens : When this fruit gets to the market early deliveries have 

 to be arranged for, and empty packages have to be brought back long 

 distances, which must be a loss to the railway companies. 



A Voice : They are paid for it. 



Mr. Idiens : No. 



Mr. Berry : Yes, and at a very high rate. 



Mr. Idiens : Seeing that the best classes of fruit average £'25 to <£30 

 a ton, I do not think we can ask the railway companies to charge the same 

 rates that are charged on flour. 



Mr. Geo. Monro (President of the National Federation of Trades 

 Associations) : Mr. Berry and Mr. Idiens have spoken as growers. As 

 representing the salesmen I have taken a rather broader view of the 

 question. I will read what I have to say, and will add one or two 

 words in addition to the paper. I am allowed to take part in this 

 Conference on Commercial Fruit Culture as representing the views of 

 salesmen on the important matter of distribution, and that turns 

 directly on the facilities given to the trade by the railway companies. I 

 am not going to take up valuable time with a long list of grievances, but 

 will state at once that there is a very strong feeling amongst salesmen in 

 all parts of the kingdom, as well as amongst growers, that this industry does 

 not get the treatment it deserves, being as it is a comparatively new one, 

 and, to quote the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed by 

 Lord Onslow, " the only branch of agriculture that is showing signs of 

 increase," and also being from all points of view a national industry worthy 

 of encouragement. Not only does it help to provide good food for the 

 million and employ a large number of well-paid hands directly, but it 

 benefits a great number of other trades, and not the least question from a 

 national point of view is that the consumption of fruit does more than 

 anything else towards making the people temperate and healthy. We 

 therefore claim the best consideration possible, and I need not say how 

 we welcomed the Government inquiry mentioned above, the report of 

 which should be read by everyone interested in the welfare of his 

 fellow-countrymen. 



Some seven or eight years ago it was felt that the salesmen in 

 different markets should form associations, so as to be in a better position 

 to deal with trade matters, and especially with railway companies. This 

 was done in several large centres, and three years ago it was decided that the 

 time had come for an organisation of a national character, and the present 

 Federation was formed, to which all the existing Salesmen's Associations 

 are affiliated, as well as a large number of individual traders in 

 different parts of the country where no associations exist. This was felt 

 all the more necessary owing to the action of the railway companies 

 combining together, introducing the vexed question of the owner's risk, and 



