FRUIT-GROWING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 66, 15 September 1906, Page 9

FRUIT-GROWING.

DEPUTATION FROM THE CONFERENCE. The resolutions passed at tho conference of representatives of tho frait-groTV-ers of the colony were submitted to the Minister for Agriculture by deputation yesterday evening. It was pointed out by tho chairman (Mr. Fitzroy) that the fruit-growing tnausfcry Hod no-re- arrived at the stage tiiat it w<is fairly remunerative. Australia had an earlier season than New Zealand, and sent here her surplus supply just at the time that our cailicr fruits are coming into the market, thereby reducing prices until thoy scarcely reach a payable point. ' If the duty at preicnt levied was removed the industry would be labouring under great disadvantages. New Zealand had the means of supplying all the requirements of her own people in regard to apples, pears, and stone fruits, and the deputation only asked that tho Government should give tho industry reasonablo protection until it waa firmly established. In regard to the wine-growing industry, Mr. Gould pointed out that a largo amount of capital had been invested, and the Government, by establishing experimental stations and so on, had afforded tliat branch of tho industry every encouragement. If, however, tho duty was reduced it would mean that New Zealand growers could not compete with Australia, und the industry would be practically annihilated. In replying, tho Minister said he would have the resolutions regarding the reciprocity agreement sent to the Extension of Commerce Committee. He. appreciated the resolution regarding tlie extension of the period during which a penny duty should bo payable, and he would sue if anything could be done in the matter. In regard to the canning industry, he was very much interested with it in travelling through California and other parts of America. Peoplo engaged in tho trade represented to him tho enormous advances that had beeu mado and they tpoke of New Zealand as a country that was eminently suited for it, and suggested that it ought to be extended. Ho assured the deputation that he would look into it. and see if they could not eucourago that industry to tho utmost limit. In regard to testing stations, these had already been established at Tauranga and Waorenga. It was his intention during the coming recess to spund a considerable time in Auckland and other parts of tho colony, visiting tho /anous experimental stations in order to get a clear idea of what hnd been done in tho past. An to preventing tho importation of blights, a proclamation w«s being prepared, nnfl it would bo g-tzctted next week. He was not prepared to forbid experimenting with tho beet-ding of pests in the open air, as suggostea by the conference.

An ingenious automatic tide-signalling apparatus, invonted by Mr. Martin Royd, harbourmaster at Irvine, Scotland, has been orcctcd at tho entrance to tho harbour there. Formerly vessels arriving aftor nightfall had to wait outoido owing to the impossibility ot gauging tho depth of water, and miicn delay ensued ; but now Mr. Boyd s tower indicates the depth of water by means of balls by day and by a series of coloured lights by nighjt. This apparatus needs no attention .whatever.