ISLAND FRUIT TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 299, 11 September 1908, Page 3

ISLAND FRUIT TROUBLE.

WELLINGTON VIEWS. A MEETING TO-DAY. . The Wellington Fruit Brokers' Association will meet to-day. and discuss (amongst other things) Mi© Island fruit, troubles, which are now so deeply agitating Aucklanders. It is not likely that the Aucklanders will receive very strong encouragement from Wellington brokers. Any resentment which this city might feel concerning the probablo shuttingkmt of Island fruit'by the fruit fly regulation is somewhat modified by the difficulty that has always been experienced in bringing Island fruit here. Wellington's ambition for a direct steamer service with tho Islands has long been a liopo deferred; Yet Wellington's attitude will be strictly proper. It will be a sort of siibdued fraternal support, of the Aucklanders—more than because of any high local feeling on the fruitfly legislation. "Why should wo make a fuss?" explained one of tho leading men of the fruit marts. "Tho Island fruit trouble is no' worso than what we are already experiencing in Wellington and the other cities in regard to the fruit from Australia. It all goes lender tho same rigid inspection. Wo curso under our breath, but we say nothing, bccause wo realise that, after all, tho Department is right. AVhat would become of the local fruit growers if those destructive pests wero allowed to get a fooiting throughout New Zealand?" Major Broun says tho Island pest won't breed in New Zealand. "But our man says it will. Hasn't it 'broken out in three parts of New Zealand already?" ' ,

That's only the Mediterranean fly, which Major Broun says doesn't exist in tho Islands. "Ah, well. That's a point for experts. Mr. Kirk appears to hold quite a different view, and you know very well, as all of us know, that Mr. Kirk is a man who thoroughly knows his business." Major Broan asks.that tha point in dispute shall be thoroughly .investigated and settled. Will you support tho Aucklanders i in backing him up? "Yes. But there must be no risks taken in the meantime. What would an owner of 100 acres of orchard say to us if we agitated for a relaxation of the very regulations on which lie relies for the safety of his industry?" Tho Aucklanders Want the regulations suspended, in regard to tho Islands, till they havo held their conference hore on September 22. Will you back up that request to the Premier ? Tho reply was non-committal. A Million Pounds at Stake. "The local _ fruit industry," said another broker, "is said to bo worth a million pounds. Would it bo reasonable to danger it for the sake of the trade of the Islands?" Aucklanders say there is no danger. "Well, let the exports decide that. The Government must certainly make somo reply to the assertions of Major Broun, which are very strong." Does Wellington take much Island fruit? "A large quantity. Auckland is really credited, with using far more than it actually oonsumes. If 5000 cases arrive, there may be 2000 cases for Wellington, but some of the Auckland firms ropack-and consign to Southern buyers. Somo of the Aucklanders do a lot of that work. There are one or two firms whoso sole occupation almost depends on the Island trade. Naturally they will suffer seriously. The Island fruit trade itself is of small consequence to New Zealand, though the buying trade is of more importance.. That, however, goes entirely, to Auckland."