DEPARTMENTAL REPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 281, 25 November 1903, Page 3

DEPARTMENTAL REPORT.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.!

WELLINGTON, this day.

Last season a request was made by the Canterbury fruitgrowers for a guarantee against loss, so as to enable them to further test the London market with a shipment or more of. apples. After due consideration it was resolved by Cabinet that as the previous shipments had arrived home practically sound when carried under proper conditions, and left a fair margin of profit, there was no great necessity for further assistance. This decision, says the secretary to the Department of Agriculture, in his annual report, stopped the shipment of any large quantity. He adds that, seeinff the industry is in its infancy, and shipping facilities are not what they mieftt be, some inducement to shippers would be gladly welcomed. With due care no loss need be anticipated. The question of assisting m the establishment of canning factories should receive early consideration, and the appointment of an expert must of necessity be made if the canning and pulping. md s?!j7 » to be placed on a proper basis. Without expert advice much loss will certainly

says his leaving Is a distinct loss to the industry in this colony, and it will be difficult to find one so well fitted as he to fill the position. Aiter mentioning the decision to engage a Canadian and a Danish expert, the report continues: "While on this subject it is worth considering whether it would not be more to the advantage of the Industry if two or three of our more intelligent makers were given the opportunity of spending a time at one of the dairy schools in Canada and Denmark. It may be accepted that an outsider is of very little use for the first year, as it will take him fully that time to become acquainted with colonial ways, but one sent from the colony would return fitted to take up the work at once."