SALE OF WINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 102, 2 May 1935, Page 8

SALE OF WINES.

GOVERNMENT COMPETITION

OBJECTION BY TRADERS

Protests against the allegedly unfair competition of the Government with private vine growers and vintners through the operation of the State experimental station at Te Kauwhata was made last year by the Associated Chambers of Commerce.

Correspondence on the question wns received from the secretary of the Associated Chambers at this morning's meeting of the Auckland Chamber, lie said the matter was taken up with the Minister of Agriculture, who said, "the property had fulfilled its object in demonstrating that grapes suitable for wine making could be grown successfully in the district, and that excellent wine could be made from them."

The property had been put up for auction last November, but no bid had been received, said the letter. Protests bad now been made against the continued competition of the station. The terms of the sale provided for an upset price of £10,150 for the property. It was a condition that the purchaser take over-at o/O a gallon the stock of wine on hand —estimated at about 30,000 gallons. A reply was written to the Associated Chambers by the Auckland secretary, Dr. E. P. Neale, who said that the State vineyards had done valuable experimental work in vine-growing in New Zealand, that the continuance of the State vineyards was supported by other vine growers in the vicinity, and that there was no unfair competition on the part of the State vintners. The Auckland Chamber had received no complaints. The letter was approved.