SWEET ORANGES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21533, 24 July 1935, Page 10

SWEET ORANGES

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY FORESEEN MINISTER VISITS AUCKLAND NURSERY ' {IKE PEESS Special srvice-3 Auckland; July 23. "After what I saw at Avondale, I can say definitely that I believe the growing of sweet oranges can become an established industry in New Zealand," said the Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. C. E. Macmihan) before his return to Wellington to-night. The Minister's comment arose from a visit which he had paid to the Avondale nursery of Mr Hayward R. Wright. Mr Macmillan said that at Mr Wright's nursery he saw navel oranges and mandarins every bit 'as good as citrus fruit imported from South Australia. "I am convinced that the problem of growing the sweet orange in New Zealand has been solved," he added.

The Minister expressed the opinion that not only was it possible to establish a sweet-orange growing industry from the point of view of ability to produce the required type and qua.ity of fruit, but that such an industry should be capable of development to the point of supplying all New Zealand's needs. This was, of course, subject to seasonal considerations, as oranges were a seasonal product; but there should be no need foe Importing during the New Zealand season.

Mr Macmillan said the mandarins which he had seen growing in the nursery were excellent fruit. They were thin-skinned, and could be broken apart with ease in just the same manner as the imported product. He was much impressed with what he had seen.

"I do not think it is realised what you have at Avondale," concluded the Minister.

Experiments in the growing of oranges have been made for 20 years by Mr Wright. In his nursery he has growing about 12 varieties, each of navel oranges and mandarins. The majority of the varieties have produced good fruit for several years.