Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 1931. EXPORT OF FRUIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 222, 20 August 1931, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 1931. EXPORT OF FRUIT.

The meeting 1 of fruitgrowers i at Palmerston North, this week, provided evidence of the steadygrowth of the industry. Thoug-h orchards have existed in this centre from its earliest days, there has not been the development of the business as in other places, the local market absorbing 1 the produce. Possibly, a variable climate is not conducive to enterprise on an extensive scale, but, notwithstanding, this city can boast of a number of excellent orchards. According to figures in the Year Book, there is a total of 17,774 acres of commercial orchards bearing- fruit in the Dominion, 1,400 acres not bearing 1 , and 5,687 acres in private orchards, a total of 24,86.1 acres. In each case these areas are beyond a borough boundary. In recent years, due to the elimination of orchards which have passed their period of productivity, or to the requirement of the land for other purposes because of enhanced values, there has been a considerable decrease in the acreage of non-bearing- orchards, there having been a drop from 9,235 to 1,400 acres. North Auckland, Nelson, Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and Otago are the chief centres of production. Since 1924, consequent upon the assistance granted by the Government to encourage the export trade, there has been a marked increase in the quantities of apples and pears sent overseas, the expanding trade reflecting the high grade quality of the fruit. In 1925 the value was £120,000, but in 1929, the last year for which figures are given in the Year . Book, the trade was worth £583,000. According to figures given to the conference here this week, 1,350,000 cases of apples and pears were despatched abroad in the past season by the 812 growers in the Dominion. The British markets absorbed the greater quantity, but the fruit also finds an outlet on the Continent, in South America and in Canada. To growers w r ho cultivate the local market the export of this large quantity of fruit means the difference" between success and disaster, for, as Mr Tate said, the fact of this tremendous export must bring before us vividly what would happen to our New Zealand business if anything untoward befell the overseas trade. The chairman also mentioned the menace to orchardists of fireblight, stating that the disease was “making itself felt and strong measures were necesasry to keep it in check.” Under the Orchard Tax Act, which was passed originally to develop the fruitgrowing industry, there is provision to apply part of the tax to combat fireblight. There is no doubt the assistance provided for the industry has given it a great stimulus, with a corresponding profitable means of occupation for many people in tlie Dominion.

HELPING THE UNEMPLOYED. The adoption .of a scheme to give unemployed single men work in growing vegetables, as arranged between the City Council and the Hospital Board, may perhaps lead to a more substantial plan for work on these lines. It has been urged on several occasions. At present it is intended to give one day’s work a month to single men, in the week in which -they are unable to qualify., for relief work, the hope being that the sum they will earn, small though it be, will help them to meet their obligations. The results of the scheme, it would appear, will determine whether the proposition is feasible, and be a guide as to whether operations on a larger scale can be carried out. The vegetables will ultimately go to the workless through the relief depots, and, if these should be closed, to the Hospital Board’s institutions. Men who are employed on such an undertaking are likely to return good value for the money expended. A splendid example of self-help comes from Stratford where a kitchen garden and firewood scheme has been planned. Briefly, the committee are prepared to help each married man requiring work to grow vegetables for eight months of the year, assisting with manures and seeds—the cost to be met in excess vegetables next autumn — and with advice and help if required. If the person unemployed has not land upon which to make a garden, the committee will arrange for a section, and will also market the excess vegetables. In the matter of firewood,, the unemployed will be required to split it where available, and if necessary the committee will assist in transporting it to_ the homes. In this way families in need will be saved, it is hoped, at least fifteen shillings per week, a substantial sum in the weekly budget. The Stratford Self Help Club, which has been commended by the Prime Minister, offers a splendid opportunity for the unemployed married men of the town to help themselves. One of its principal rules is that healthy families cannot expect sustenance from the relief depots next year unless they have made a reasonable effort to benefit themselves under the scheme. As the conditions are made light, there should be no complaint on this score. The Stratford experiment shmild be followed in other rural centres.