FRUIT INDUSTRY. PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 108, 3 November 1909, Page 7

FRUIT INDUSTRY. PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.

ADDRESS BY HON. T. MACKENZIE. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister for Agriculture, speaking at the Fruitgrowers' Conference to-day, was optimistic as to the future of fruit-grow-ing in New Zealand. He referred to the new position of Mr. T. W. Kirk, as Director of Orchards, and held it would be beneficial to the industry. "This country was specially adapted to the growing of fruit," said the Minister, who then went into figures to show the large increase in the acreage under fruit in the Dominion. In New Zealand there were now 31 acres of orchard per one thousand of population, in Australia 41 acres per thousand. The average yield of an up-to-date orchard was about £30 per annum, after paying all expenses. OUR MARKETS. The grower neeel have no anxiety as to the disposal of his fruit, prqvided proper methods were adopted. The prices ruling in retail markets at present placed fruit beyond the reach of a considerable portion of the population. He would suggest that a better system of co-operation be adopted, which by more expeditious handling would cheapen the cost to the consumer. With proper combination and the most approved system of distribution the crop could be disposed of readily. New Zealand was at present sending £182,000 annually out of the country for fresh fruit, much of which could be grown in the Dominion. As much as £30,000 went away to pay for apples and pears alone. This should not be. With careful selection these fruits could be held in cool storps for lengthened periods. Forcanned fruit £28,500 was last year's bilfc The -New Zealand canneries could, for a considerable time to come, absorb all the available fruit. Generally, New Zealand growers had a reserve fund of £74,622, in regard to the value of importations. The local markets, with proper organisation, could absorb vastly greater quantities than were now available. The retail prices could by means of thorough co-operation be considerably reduced, and so bring fruit within the reach of all, thus greatly increasing the demand. PREFERENCE A HELP. Mr. Mackenzie turned to the English and' 'European markets which, he said, could take really good apples and pears at remunerative prices, averaging about l£d a pound to the producer. Good quality canned fruitc could also find a satisfactory market at Home. Great Britain ' imported fresh fruit to the value of over £10,000,000 a year. In this connection the Minister put in a word for preference to the produce of the Empire. 4 It would be difficult, ho eaid, to compete at present with California and other places. Perhaps some system of preference might be adopted by the Home Government, and this would be of great assistance. DEPARTMENT'S PLANS. | In summing up, the Minister said that j any man with any observation could i note the great improvement in the fruit : eeen in the' shops, the auctions, and the | prahards. With regard to inspection of j orchards, he had to say that -the staff ■was 1 admittedly small, but good work I was being done, and more was hoped I for the future. The department hoped j to give some assistance to growers in j the' matter of (a) export; (b) develop- I ment of canning factories within reasonable reach' of rail or water carriage ; ,(c) | co-operative experiments ; (d) affording j facilities for the establishment of spe- ! cial fruit settlements. He would like the department to establish some system of testing fruits as to quality and suitability of varieties for markets. At present the department was testing seeds in different localities. It was found that the experience was wider and the cost less, when the work was done in that way. What he would like to sea carried out was that the department should supply the growers with fruit trees and man- I ures, and, if it were thought necessary, would contribute ' something towards the labour of the experiments on an acre of ground in different localities. He hoped the suggestion would be taken up by associations. It was in cooperation that success might be found.