A CHALLENGE

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 154, 2 July 1917, Page 2

A CHALLENGE

NEW ZEALAND, APPLE SHOW

Writing in reference to the recent National Patriotic Apple Show at Dunedin, Mr A. Moritzson says:—"l am satisfied the Otago people hardly realise the significance of the results achieved at this show. It means that Otago has jumped into the premier position in New Zealand in regard to growing apples. The position is as follows:— ' Aggregate of Points Scored by Various Provinces.

Apples Pears Total Otago ... ... 198. 44 242. Nelson 55 _ 20 75* Canterbury ... 28 . 28*. 56* Marlborough ... 13 —" 13 Hawke's Bay ... 11* 4 15. Auckland 3 3 6

Otago has, with one jump, made up the leeway of some forty or more years, the advantage that*had been gained by old fruit-growing districts which supplied the markets of New Zealand heretofore, while Otago was unexplored and unexploited. .. . . Even now, some of our neighbors try to wrest from Otago this well-earned tribute and' its well-earned achievement. .-—-• ■

I maintain, says Mr Maritzson, that from the commercial point of view, Otago's achievement lias not yet disclosed the commercial value of our position. To support my opinion, I am prepared, on behalf of the province, to challenge any other pro-" vince in New Zealand, .and am willing to pay, if Qfcago loses, the sum of 25 •guineas to'the Patriotic Association. The competition to be on commercial lines, to be laid down by myself, each province or- district competing to do so wi+liout handicap. Roughly speaking, the following should be the lines on which such competition should be conducted. . " • ■

Take, for instance, Otago. The competition should be from five districts, namely, those that competed at the last Show, Beaumont. Ettrick, Roxburgh, Alexandra-Clv'de, and Upper Clutha If five districts in this province compete, then a similar number of districts should compete m any province from the north. A measured acre of an equal number of trees-and of equal age to be selected for each district, either irrigated or miirrigated. The whole of the fruit of that particular acre, whether affected by fungus disease, eodliii moth, or any other flaw, should be classed and packed on commercial lines of, first, second, and third grade, and all inferior fruit to be classed under jelly apples; all this to b_ done under supervision. The whole of the fruit to be put on the market and sent to appointed agents, or shipped to England, and if Otago does not come out on top, from an earning point of view at per acre, then I am. prepared, as already stated, to donate' 25 guineas to the Patriotic " Association. Spraying, manuring, charges of bringing fruit to market, and all other expenses of working such acre to be considered esseot'al.

This challenge will be open to allcomers outside of Otago in ~ New Zealand for the next five years. The competition to cover apple orchards only.