Ken ken Orchardists Seek Drought Relief

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1947, Page 4

Ken ken Orchardists Seek Drought Relief

(Special) A SYMPATHETIC hearing, growers’ problems and a promise thoroughly were given by the new Cullen) when he spent 3-1, hours Kerikeri Citrus Society in the orch (& a'gjsi u Mr Cullen arrived by car from Auckland promptly at the arranged time. He left again late in the afternoon for Whangarei. The Minister was accompanied by the- assistant-Directcr of Agriculture (Mr Kennet) and other officials. Present was Mr P. Everett, viticulturist with the Agriculture Department, who is stationed at Kaikohe. The actual meeting of the Minister with the citrus society executive was held in committee in the citrus factory. In the chair was the society’s president (Mr A. Emanuel), who was also principal speaker, although others also spoke

LOSS OF £70,000 -Representations were put to Mr Cullen tor Government aid to offset the damage done by the two recent droughts, the disastrous one of 194540 and the lesser, but still severe one. of 1947.

It was pointed out that this year’s drought had been responsible for an .early flowering of the citrus trees, and that this would affect the set of the fruit and the virility of the trees themselves.

Mr Emanuel told the Minister that in the 1946 season the official estimate, of loss was £40,000, while for this season the estimate was £30,000. This loss did not apply to citrus frtiit alone, las small fruits had also suffered, passionfruit being, perhaps, the one exception. One orchardist estimated his loss from tree tomatoes at nearly £6OO this year. < Fbrms of assistance suggested by executive members were the provision of fertiliser and other orchard requirements by the Government. Another request of the society was that, the Government assist in the provision of an irrigation scheme for the Kerikeri orchards.

KERIKERI, This Day. g, a genuine interest in the se to investigate their requests ;w Minister of Agriculture (Mr rs with representatives of the •chard district yesterday. The Minister was told that by irrigation the effect of the dry years could be overcome. EXPERIMENTAL ORCHARD An experimental orchard was also suggested. The Agriculture Department has an experimental farm at Waipapa, near Kerikeri. on ironstone country, and it was considered that another should be established on Kerikeri soil. The Minister’s reply Was such as to gratify the deputation and arouse hope that something might come of the meeting. He said he knew sometning of droughts and their effects from his farming experience in Hawke’s Bay. The deputation was introduced to Mr Cullen by Mr S. W. Smith, member for Hobson.

During his visit, which was his first to the North, Mr Cullen found time to visit one or two places of historic interest, such as the old stone store on the Kerikeri waterfront.

The Minister inspected three orchards where irrigation methods are already in use—on the properties of Mr K. Proctor, Johnson Brothers, and Mr Emanuel. He expressed himself as being impressed with the possibilities as evidenced by practical results. He was also strongly impressed with the ability of Kerikeri to grow sub-tropical fruits of a surprising variety, and conceded that a ready market could be found for such products.

Minister Visits

Whanqarei Port Site

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr E. L. Cullen) visited the Whangarei Harbour Board’s property at Kioreroa this morning to inspect the site chosen for the proposed fertiliser works at Whangarei. He later attended a 'luncheon at which were delegates from North local bodies and other organisations and, in the afternoon, was ■ present at a meeting held at the harbour board offices where the fertiliser works project was discussed.

A meeting of the Northland Dairy Association will be held tomorrow, It is understood that Mr Cullen will not attend but will return to Auckland tomorrow evening.