EXPORT OF FRUIT.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16847, 29 May 1920, Page 9

EXPORT OF FRUIT.

CONTINUATION OF GUARANTEE ASKED FOE. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, May 28. Replying to a deputation from tli{ Fruitgrowers' Conference, tho Ministei of Agriculture said he could not giv< a definite reply to the request for th< continuation of the Id per lb guaran tee for some years. This matter h< would have to consider. In helping thi industry, the Government realised tha thev haa a duty to do, and as Ministei he 'asked them to_ be sure that ther< was organisation in the ranks of th< growers, such as would promote effici ency. If they work:«d together, ther there -would "be something which th< Government could back, and cculd depend on the Government doinj everything possible to open new mar kets for them. Ho was hopeful of get ting on to the South American market With regard to the importation o fruit trees from Australia, and the sug gested removal of tho embargo, he pro mised to give the matter consideration He could hold out no hope that then was going to be a supp.y of sugar a anything like tho price at which it ha< been available up till the present, bu he believed that the price would be rea sonabie compared with the price a which sugar was being sold in othe countries. D'iroctly after he had left this depu tation, Mr Nosworthv received anotno deputation from the nurserymen. Tho; asked him that on no account should h allow tho removal of the embargo o Australian fruit trees. They pointe out that thero was grave danger c bringing diseases into the country 1> the importation of trees from abroad iind denied the truth of all the slate ments made by the fruitgrowers t the inadequacy of the supply.of Ne: Zealand-grown trees and as to tkei alleged bad quality. _ 0 The Minister premised to give tb matter his consideration.