CITRUS FACTORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 9

CITRUS FACTORY.

KERIKERI ENTERPRISE.

STANDARDISED PRODUCT. The remarkable transformation of Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, from a settlement with a population of 37, to a thriving township of 600 in the laat nine years, was commented on by the Hon. John Alexander, M.L.C., speaking at the opening of the Kerikeri Citrus Society's new curing and packing shed on Saturday afternoon. The bare paddocks of the settlement, he said, had become profitable plantations, and to-day Kerikeri was the largest orange-growing district in New Zealand. Mr. Alexander then turned a switch which put the grading machinery in operation. Mr. A. £. Knowles, chairman of the committee of the Kerikeri Citrus Society, presided. Summarising the events which led to the establishment of the new factory, he said that citrus fruit bad been introduced to Kerikeri by overseas' settlers. As crop* increased, it was found that the curing and marketing of the fruit~was s matter for co-operative action, The Government was approached and a free grant of £600, and a loan on favourable terms was made to the growers. This, however, -was found to be inadequate, and as a result of representations being made to the present Government, • further turn of* money was advanced. Mr. Alexander congratulated the society on its new factory, which he thought would be one of the most up to date in the southern hemisphere. The success of the co-operative Movement would lead to etandardisation in marketing and curing of the produ: , which would bring still further success in its train. He was convinced, th# speaker said, that people should be well provided with citrue fruits. Unler the operative scheme the public would get more and better fruit, and growers wo «M be assured of a reasonable return for wax efforts.