AUSTRALIAN GRAPES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 103, 24 January 1908, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN GRAPES.

PROTEST BY AUCKLAND GROWERS. APPEAL TO THE PREMIER Y The' ".Auckland .Star," in an article on the. , question of the importation _ OfV Australian grapes,'• says the. retail prices in Auckland for. hothouse grapes range fropi'.ls;, to Is. 6d: ; • and 2s. per lb. Three shipments •of Aus- , tralian grapes have reached Auckland port; and been refused a landing, and liar] v to be taken back to Sydney. Although Mr. H/. J. Scott,/ tho' South Australian ' Commissioner, to the Christchurch Exhibition, seemed a. promise ' that the embargo - on -: Australian': grapes should be removed this' season, the embargo still exists. Tlio'"Star" complains that this state of affairs has; made grapes; n luxury which the poor were-completely prevented from enjoying. ■ . ■•' . The.Other Side. The other side of the question was strongly, put. to- our Auckland' representative' by. .'a I gentleman who is closely identified with the viticulture' industry ..in. New Zealand.. .This, summer, lie points out; the glass house season" is late in the Auckland province; ovfing to' the fact that , in October: adverse, weather, conditions ' were . experienced. - : Tho - glass houses, however, arc now full, and the grapes are beginning to coiiie forward; very treely. If the embargo on Australian grapes were to be' removed at the present, juncture these-'growers would' be ruined. There are some hundreds ~of glass.', houses . now .established m the Auckland province, and the proposal is .arousing. the greatest; indignation amongst vigherons.-- .' ■ .. v The fact that; Parliament last'session fixed ft .duty ot Id: per lb. on grapes is signifiand 'with a viow to'protesting againstthe removal of the embargo Auckland grow: ors are calling a public meeting,.. 1 hey claim that the Government urged and encouraged them to take up viticulture, and now by. the proposal to remove the'prohibition they will he nullifying tho efforts of the - last three or. four years. ■ It is urged that in fairness to those who have devoted themselves to. the industry the' embargo' should- remain' on Australian grapes: Until' they have,had time to' oultivato -early and late varieties,, which will permit ■■ of," the locally grown fruit -c'omitig upoivi; the'marked before, and' after tho Aus-: ■tralian season sets' in. On Friday a public meeting will' be held,' and - members of Parliamoiit will', be, invited to attend. It is also : likely that a deputation will bo appointeii .to ; wait on the. Premier and-protest' against the removal of the'embargo.... .