THE PREMIER’S TOUR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3574, 25 February 1914, Page 6

THE PREMIER’S TOUR.

BUSY DAY AT HASTINGS

PROSPECTS' OF THE FRUIT

INDUSTRY

LPEE33 ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.! HASTINGS, Feb. 24. Hon. AY. F. Massey formally opened the Hawke’s Bay Produce and Cool Storage Company’s new premises at Hastings at noon to-day. Mr E. H. Williams, chairman of the Company, introduced the Prime Minister to the fruitgrowers who attended the ceremony. *

Replying to the address of welcome, Mr Massey said that he was glad, not only as far as Hawke’s Bay was concerned, but in the interests of the Doxfiinion, that the fruitgrowing industry was not to he allowed to languish. Irt different parts of New Zealand people were beginning to realise that fruit growing was destined to become a, very important industry, and that in New Zealand there was a suitable soil and suitable climate, and that lately there had been a good market—almost an unlimited market —for apples. He was referring to South America. People now understood the treurtmonfc of the different soils, and the culture that was necessary if they were to become successful fruit-farm-ers and the varieties of fruits suitable for export. Referring to what bad recently been done hr the Government, Mr Massey

•said lie was greatly impressed by the 'growth of the industry, and he fully realised the possibilities of the future, j.ast year the exports had more than ion hied, and he felt "confident that they would be doubled again. 'Last

session lie took the opportunity, as Minister for Agriculture, of asking Parliament for a sum of £25,C00 for the purpose of granting loans to Fruitgrowers’ Associations who desired to make provision for cold storage, '"‘lie amimt was sanctioned, and although he had not yet actually received the £ 2d,000,' from recent ■events in the London money market L,> expected to receive it shortly, and those associations who required assist-

artce would then be able to come along *to the Crown for loans, when he would do all in his power to help the 1 /dustry’s progress.—(Applause.) The limit on loans would be £3OOO. Continuing, the Premier said his ex;>erienee from one end of the Dominion to the other was that in pears and apples growers were able to produce toe equal of anything in the world. Mow that there was a good market, the. industry should go ahead by leaps and bounds, and he felt sure that when the .£25,000 granted by Parliament had been spent judiciously and advantageously a further sum would be granted for the same purpose. In the- afternoon the Premier opened the lona Presbyterian Girls’ College at Havelock North —a splendid brick building situated on the Havelock Hills. Rev. James Havelock presided at the opening ceremony and presented n gold key to the Premier and also gold keys to Mr Hugh Campbell, of Bread- ;• Inane, and Mr Mason Chambers, of Tauroa, two gentlemen who presented the 12 acres of land on which the College is built. Mr Massey, in a short congratulatory address ro the promoters of the ■College, said he was sure the people •of the Dominion thoroughly appreciated the benefit of education. The money which New Zealand devoted t i education was well spent. in the morning the Premier was ■waited on by a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, who requested the grant of a subsidy towards the cost of bridging the Rangitikei River on the Napier-Taihape Road. Mr Massey promised to lay the request before the Minister for Public Works. The deputation also urged the Gov rament to set up a commission to inquire into the titles of Native lands • a the route of the East Coast railway. and that these lands he purchased before tiie line went through. The Premier replied that it was the ■policy of the Government to acquire lands on the route of new lines, and as t :uch as possible would be purchased ••n the East Coast route. He would lay the request for a commission to inquire into Native titles before the .Native Minister. The Premier and Hon. F. M. B. Fisher were entertained at a banquet by the fruitgrowers this evening.