FRUIT GROWING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2677, 4 August 1913, Page 5

FRUIT GROWING.

EXPORT OK FRUIT. Proposed Government Regulations, Last year 17,000 eases ol Iruil, principally apples, were exported from New Zealand. This year it is expected the quantity will be 60,000 cases. At the recent conference, held in Wellington, the Government regulations with regard to grading, it was explained, would in all probability be as follows : —‘Special’ grade, to be free from disease and blemish and exceptionally well colored of its variety, and specially graded and packed. 'Choice grade, to be free from disease and blemish, but not so well coloured as ‘special.’ ‘Good’ grade, to be free from disease ane not more than 5 per cent of blemish (a ‘blemish’ to mean a scratch, rub or sprav damage). It is further proposed that a slightly smaller case shall be used for export purposes, The case will be a lot easier to pack than the old style. Twenty-five cases will go to the cubic ton, and each case will hold an ‘imperial bushel’ (qolb). A matter discussed in full was whether the cases should be branded ‘New Zealand.’ Some of the representatives contended that it was undesirable, as foreign exporters might utilise the cases which had been utilised for New Zealand fruit. The majority, however adopted a resolution in this direction. The conference further decided to recommend that the sizes of apples for export should be from to 3><in. in diameter. Another subject discussed was the duty on fruit-packing paper. It was pointed out that suitable paper could not be manufactured in the Dominion, and the conference resolved to urge the department to admit it duty free. The new regulations proposed by the Government will only be optional as far as next season’s fruit exports are concerned, but will be compulsory for the 1915 season. This procedure will be adopted so as not to interfere with contracts already made for nest swan.