GREAT ADVANCE MADE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 2, 2 July 1926, Page 12

GREAT ADVANCE MADE

VALUABLE HELP OF GOVERNMENT. There was a large and representative gathering at the dinner given on Wednesday evening in connection with the annual conference of the New Zealand Fruit Growers' Federation. Mr. T. C. Brash, president, occupied the chair. In proposing the toast, "The Fruit Industry," Mr. T. W. Attwood said that the difficulties of landing fruit in London in good condition had been greatly overcome, although they had much yet to learn. The speaker urged that the quality of the fruit be kept up at all costs. The time was not far off when New Zealand should be exporting at least a million cases. Responding to the toast, Mr. J. Allen remarked that the poor land in Nelson had been put to good account^ by growing fruit. The Government haiT como to the assistance of the industry, and had practically saved it. The Hon. O. J. Hawk en, Minister of Agriculture, said the Government had ben ablo to help the fruit growers in the past, and there was no reason why it should not do so in the future. He was glad the fruit industry was making such progress, and judging from the progress made in the last year it would not long bo regarded as one of the smaller industries. Ho alluded to the advance made in Nelson, and added

that they had the men who could sue eessfully manage the business.

Messrs. H. Atinorc, M.P., E. Hudsou, M.P., iind J. Horn, M.1?., respomled to the toast of the New Zealand Parliament, and expressed their pleasure at the progress made by the fruitgrowing industry.