SEASON'S FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 134, 4 December 1917, Page 2

SEASON'S FRUIT

HEAVY CROPS EXPECTED

EXTENDING fI?HE LOCAL DEMAND.

The prospects for this season's fruit crops, especially of apples and pears, are unusually favourable in most parts of the Dominion, and as owing to lack of shipping facilities the export trade will be seriously hindered, New Zealand growers are arranging a publicity campaign to in-duce-the people of this countiy to eatmore fruit tHan has hitherto been the custom.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association on Saturday Mr J. Longton said that the Dominion executive of the New Zea^ land Fruitgrowers' Federation, at a. meeting held in Wellington last week, considered the possibility -of extending the local demand for locally-grown fruit, and although definite details had not yet been agreed upon, he could give a broad outline'of what was proposed. A national apple- show would be held in Auckland early nest year and the sum of £1000 would _be spent on a press advertising campaign to bring before the public the advantages of fruit eating. The sum of £500 would be allotted to Wellington, £230 to Auckland, £100 each to Canterbury and Otago, and £50 to Hawkes Bay. The largest amount was being spent m Wellington because in that disr trict there were more consumers and the least fruit -crops. Although only £100 was being spent in Canterbury, this district would perhaps get the most benefit from the total outlay, as the crops here would not be heavy, and the dumping of fruit from other localities would be prer vented, and prices could be "levelled up! Report* from the other districts forecasts ed good crops and well above the average, whereas in Canterbury the average" ■would be about maintained, although Stunners were especially heavy. It was proposed to publish'in the press an approved list of growers who would have to pack up to a fixed graded standard. The fruit would he sold at fixed prices. It was desired to work up a direct trade between grower and consumer, and the spheme would be definitely, launched some tune in January. The Department of Agriculture had agreed to assist as far as possible, and their inspectors would help to keep watch on the packing and grading. Qnly those growers who adhered'to the standard of : grading, etc., fixed would have their, names included in the advertised approved list.