FRUITGROWING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 57, 4 September 1914, Page 2

FRUITGROWING

«» REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY. A deputation of fruitgrowers waited upon the Right Hon. Mr. Massey today, and brought several matters in connection with the industry under his notice. It was asked -that the Orchards and Gardens Amendment Bill be passed this session, so that a proper system of grading could be instituted. Red deer in the Nelson district were, it was stated, doing a great deal of damage to orchards, and it was urged that the protection of these animals should be removed. Through-booking, a universal rate on case timber^ carried by the railways, the continuation of the Id per lb guarantee on fruit shipped to new markets, and the guarantee of spraying materials, were also asked for. A further request was that the Government should assist by a subsidy the work of organising and federating the fruitgrowers of the country. Mr. Massey gave a sympathetic reply to the deputation. If the proposed Bill was a reasonable one, he would, he said, endeavour to have it placed upon the Statute-book this session, and if deer were causing damage their protection should be removed. He was quite willing to guarantee shipments to new markets as heretofore, and thought the suggestion to guarantee spraying materials was a valuable one. Freights on the railways were as low as possible, but he pointed out that a Commission had been set up to enquire into shipping rates, and he suggested that fruitgrowers should give evidence before it. He definitely promised a sum of £200 towards the cost of organising the industry. He warmly congratulated the members of the deputation upon the splendid progress made in the industry.