FIREBLIGHT MENAGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 645, 2 March 1923, Page 5

FIREBLIGHT MENAGE.

RISK TO THE MANAWATU. The danger to the orchards of the Manawatu district through fireblight Was stressed at the annual meeting of the Manawatu Fruitgrowers’ Association last night. The matter was touched upon in the annual report which, in this connection, stated that the fireblight menace was still the premier consideration, Legislation had been passed lost session creating commercial fruitgrowing areas in which, on tiie appearance of fireblight, power was given to liave hawthorn eradicated or prevented from flowering. The committee was endeavouring to have an area within a radius of five miles from the Palmerston North post classified as a commercial fruitgrowing one under this head. Congratulations were extended to orchardists on the fact that, in the control of pests and diseases, the Manawatu district compared very favourably With any other district in" the Dominion, the local commercial orchards being comparatively clean. This, no doubt, was duo m a measure to the benefits gained by mutual discussion and exchange of experience at association meetings. » Following the presentation of the report, the secretary (Mr T. F. Conway), commenting on the position as regards fireblight, said that it was still the most _ important question they had to deal with—not only as it affected fruitgrowers, but also the general public. “Legislation has been passed as stated in the annual report,” continued Mr Conway, “still the department maintains that there is not enough fruit grown in this district to form a separate area here. We are just over the border, and must move Heaven and earth if we are to secure a commercial orchard district. If we do .not succeed in tin's, fireblight will break out sooner or later and destroy the orchards of the district, thus cutting off the local fruit supply. There ore 500 tons of apples and pears (locally grown) eaten in the district every year, their value being £II,OOO. Should fireblight kill the local fruitgrowing industry that amount of money would have to bo expended on fruit railed, hero from outside districts. You may be sure that that would be so, as fruit is a necessary commodity and the people would still have it. It might be possible to send a deputation to the Minister to discuss the question of forming a commercial district hero. Fruit for local consumption should be grown in the Manawatu.” The chairman (Mr A. ’R. Rush) agreed with Mr Conway’s remarks. Ho added that the central position of , Palmerston North made it imperative that fruitgrowing, for local and outside consumption, should be fostered here. It was pointed out that within five miles of Palmerston North there were 200 acres of orchards. , Some discussion on the question ensued, but no action was taken, though it was agreed that the matter of having a local district defined should be kept in view.