SELF-HELPING FRUITGROWERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 160, 22 June 1935, Page 4

SELF-HELPING FRUITGROWERS.

In these days, when we are all inclined to run like helpless children to Mother Government — that is, of course, to the taxpayers of the country—to assist us out of our difficulties, it is quite refreshing to find a body of our primary producers bent on doing something for themselves. An exceptional instance of this is to be found in the decision of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association to conduct research work on its own account, though in close co-operation with the Government department engaged in like investigation. There can be nothing but approval given to the spirit of self-help that is thus displayed, and there can be little doubt that good results will follow. It can be readily understood that a close study of local conditions by practical men intimately interested in discovering things for themselves will be of great benefit to those concerned in an industry that has grown to be of very considerable local importance. Not only this, but we should say also that those at expert headquarters will welcome the information that will no doubt be thus afforded to them. Beyond this, too, we may assume that there will be a good deal of experimental work undertaken that may result in the introduction of still greater variety into the products of our orchards. Although so firmly established in some respects, fruitgrowing as a national industry may be said to be as yet only in its infancy, and the movement made by Hawke’s Bay growers may well be hoped to assist materially to its systematic extension upon sound and practical lines.