AUSTRALIAN VINE-GROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 7 July 1899, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN VINE-GROWING.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.-Adverting to the letter of your correspondent "A. D. Douglas" in your issue of sth inst. In defence of the Australian vine-growers,the following lines taken from the report made on the 10th of September, 1595, to the Premier of New Zealand by the vitieultural expert to the Government of Victoria (Mr Eomeo Bragato), after his visit to this colony for the pnrpose of inspecting our agricultural districts, may be read with interest. At the close of his report he says:— "As an agency in the cause of temperance the viticultural industry operates powerfully. It is now a widely-accepted fact, as proved by statistics, that in wineproducing countries drunkenness is less known and the morality of the people stands .at a higher level than in countries where wine is not the national beverage. In Prance, before the phylloxera made its appearance, drunkenness was but little known. Upon the arrival of phylloxera and the decimation of the vineyards followed drunkenness, the people requiring stimulants, and wine not being available they flew to brandy, whisky, and other spirits, with the evil consequences that drunkenness became prevalent in erstwhile sober communities. With reconstruction of the vineyards, with phylloxera-resistant vines, and the increased production of wine that will follow, it is confidently asserted that Frenchmen will return to ways of sobriety. In Italy arid the south of Austria, where wine is the national beverage, drunkenness is looked upon as the greatest of vices, and a person addicted to drink is ostracised from society. It is a fact beyond contention, except by the bigot, that in winedrinking countries the people are amongst the most sober, contented, and industrious on the face of the earth."

His remarks are so well placed and supported that further comment or encroachment on your space Is needless.—l am, etc., PINOT NOIE.