DEMAND FOR FRUIT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25207, 11 June 1947, Page 4

DEMAND FOR FRUIT

INCREASE CONSIDERED LIKELY Fruitgrowers would be well advised to look after their orchards, and if possible, secure more land to plant as in the next 20 years every type of fruit was likely to be in great demand, said Mr B. T. Turner, the president speaking to the report of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association at the annual meeting last evening. The industry and those who wished to enter it should be given every encouragement, as never previously had such an opportunity existed in Canterbury for all sorts of fruit trees and bushes, with such a certainty of a good local market in the future. ‘‘We have at present a marketing scheme which we do not like,” said Mr Turner, “but that will not last for ever.” Continuing, he said that the Land Sales Act to a large extent hindered the expansion of the industry, as it had the effect of “freezing” the sale of land which was suitable for planting. There were many cases of absent landlords who were holding select places for investment, and were denying others the opportunity of owning suitable properties. He said he considered the Land Sales Act hindered development where it kept prices at a level which precluded owners from selling. _