WINE GROWING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 8452, 21 August 1911, Page 2

WINE GROWING.

PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION.

AUCKLAND, August 19. A meeting of wine-growers in the | North Auckland district was held here this morning to protest against the remarks made by a deputation to the Minister of Justice, alleging that the wine produced in 1 the North of Auckland was doctored, and that the lousiness was one of the most pernicious things in connection with the sale of liquor-in New Zealand. Mr John Vella presided, and said that, like most of the other Austrian manufacturers of wine, lie was induced twelve years ago to start by Professor Kirk, a Government officer of high standing. He invested all his savings in his vineyard, and now, when he and others began to see the fruits of r their labours, they were harassed and accused of things obviously untrue. Because a section of political agitators found fault with some of the Austrians, they tried to cast a stigma over every ' viticulturist in the north.

Another speaker agreed that the sale of bad wine should be stopped, but objected to the proposal that wine should only be sold in the districts where it was manufactured, because there was no chance of disposing of' the wine except by hawking it.

It was resolved to call a general meeting of wine-growers with a view to forming an Association and to draft a Bill for presentation to Parliament embodying the necessary facilities for the betterment of the industry, also to ask the Government Analyst to analyse all the wine in the cellars in the northern district.