ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 2 July 1936, Page 2

ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION

TO THE FRUIT INDUSTRY DUTY OF GOVERNMENT TO KEEP IT ON ITS FEET THE HON. R. SEMPLE REASSURES FRUIT-GROWERS 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 the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, who, together with Mr H. Atmore, M.P., attended the provincial conference of the N.Z. Fruitgrowers’ Federation this morning.

The chairman, Mr Dicker, welcomed the Minister, and said the growers recognised the great interest the "Government had manifested in their welfare. The speaker was satisfied that the Government was anxious to bring about a much needed improvement in the condition of the 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 this industry, which had been brought to the proportions that it had now assumed, and the speaker considered it was of great benefit to the country. They were faced with increasing costs by means of the Government’s attitude to other industries. Unless the Government came to their aid as it had to other branches of the primary industry, they were going to be in a very serious position. Fruitgrowers anticipated that the Government would be equally fair with them as it had been with others. REAL ESSENCE OF CITIZENSHIP The Minister thanked the conference for its invitation. In connection with added costs as a result of the Government’s legislation it would be lacking in its duty if it did not extend these concessions to the fruitgrowers, lx 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 would automatically trip itself.

The industry the conference represented was a national one, said Mr Semple, and of vital importance to this country, in that it produced healthy foodstuff. “If we consumed more of what you produce and less of the stuff we get from the jungle we would be healthier,” he said. The Minister went on to say that he was losing no sleep or worrying about the fellow’ who wanted something for nothing. He the real essence of citizenship was service. “As far as your industry is concerned it is one of the most important m the Dominion,” continued the Minister. “It produces one of life’s real necessities, that make for health, and health is one of the foundations of our civilised structure.” In conclusion the Minister said it was the bounden duty of the Government to keep an industry like this on its feet, and see that those who followed such health-giving foodstuffs received the goodwill, cooperation and assistance of the Government.

Mr Dicker said that the remarks of the Minister had relieved them of a considerable amount of anxiety. He thanked Mr Semple for attending and for his words of encouragement and help. The chairman added that he hoped when the Commission of Inquiry was set up it would take evidence in this big fruitgrowing district.

Mr Atmore also addressed the meeting, and remarked that the industry had been of value to others, but not to the growers themselves.

Mr Semple added that in connection with the commission of inquiry the Government intended to make the most searching inquiry possible to get right down to the kernel of things. “When we know where the disease is we will apply the remedy.”