FRUIT CANNING INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1926, Page 4

FRUIT CANNING INDUSTRY.

AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NELSON, Saturday. It is the intention of the firm or Henry Jones Co-operative, Limited, which has acquired the "X " factory, to extend the activities or tEe nrm in various directions. " It is our purpose."' said Sir Henry Jones, "to supply New Zealand's total requirements or canned fruit. There should be no need to import canned fruit. The flrst thing to be done, however, is to develop the growing of rruit suitable for canning. We are establishing a demonstration orchard block to test out thoroughly the district's capabilities in this respect. This will prove whether or not the district can grow rruit in sufficient quantities suitable for our requirements. " New canning and sauce makintr machinery has already been ordered, so it ?hould not be long before a commencement is made. We are prepared to* take the ■whole of the canning pears grown in the district. We hope to hold the market against all imported canned rruits and make New Zealand seir-supporting in this respect. Quite apart rrom canning we are developing and increasing all the present products of the ' X ' factory. " An unusual position has arisen in connection with the production of raspberries tnis season—soo tons were produced, compared with 150 last year." said Sir Henry. " One gTower whose average crop Tor the past five years was eight to nine tons informed mc that the production off the same acreage this year was 30 tons. Growers say that the advice given by the Cawthron Institute in regard to manuring treatment is largely responsible Tor the increase. Similar increases have been recorded right through the district.

" Last montn we exported a portion or the surplus to London, about 65 tons. We anticipate a considerable loss on the shipment. Next year we will make New Zealand's requirements in raspberry juice from Jfelson raspberries instead of sending , over Tasmanian juice. This will help to absorb a rurther quantity."