FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 182, 3 July 1936, Page 16

FRUIT INDUSTRY.

CO-OPERATION OF STATE. MINISTER MEETS GROWERS. Per Press Association. NELSON, July 2. That producers who grew such a health-producing Foodstuff as fruit were entitled to receive the assistance and co-operation of the Government was stressed by Hon. R. Semple, who, together with Mr H. Atmore, M.P., attended the provincial conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation to-day. The chairman (Air Dicker) welcomed tho Minister. The growers, he said, recognised the great interest the Government liad manifested in their welfare. He was satisfied that the Government were anxious to bring about much-needed improvement in the condition of primary industries. The fruit industry was in such a condition that they were intensely anxious to meet the Minister so that he should know the importance of dealing with an industry which had been brought to the proportions that the fruit industry had now assumed. The speaker considered it was of great benefit to the country. They were faced with increasing costs through the Government’s attitude to other industries. Unless the Government came to their aid, as thev had to other branches of primary industry, tiiev were going to he in a very serious position. Fruitgrowers anticipated the Government would he equally fair with thorn as they had been with others. , Mr Semple said it was not the intention of the Government to give an advantage to any particular section of the community at the expense of any other section. A Government that proceeded along those lines wo**l automatically trip itself. The industry the conference represesnted was n national one of vital importance to. this country in that it produced a healthy foodstuff. “If we consumed more of what yon produce ami less of the stuff we get from the jungle we would be healthier,” lie said. Tie was losing 110 sleep or worrying ahout the fellow who wanted something for nothing. He believed the real essence of citizenship was service.

“As far as your industry is concerned it is one of tho most important in the Dominion.” said Air Semple. “Tt. produces® so»c of life’s real necessities that makes for lieaHli. and health is one of the foundations of our civilised structure.” In conclusion the Minister said it was the honnden drtv of the Government to keep an industry like this on its feet and see that those who produced sn'Ti health-giving foodstuffs received tho "oedwi'l. co-operation and assistance of tho Government.