FRUIT INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 7 August 1941, Page 6

FRUIT INDUSTRY

GOOD SEASON IN THE MAIN GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE APPRECIATED j At the annual conference of the j New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Feder--1 ation in Wellington yesterday, the j president. Mr T. C. Brash, said that I fruitgrowers in the main had had a i good season, and in spite of some dis- ; satisfaction there had been a real 1 feeling of relief and genuine gratitude : that the Government had stood by the ; industry. “Other primary industries are now lacing severe difficulties, and the economic and financial position of the country is threatened, but we have the assurance of the Minister of j Marketing that his Government will not allow any industry to languish through war or any other cause.” said | Mr Brash. DIRECTORS' REPORT In the annual report of the directors, reference was made to the problems facing the industry because of the war, “The whole basis of production of apples and pears within the Dominion was vitally disturbed when export was curtailed, and, finally, entirely cut off.’’ stated the directors. “Under these circumstances the action of the Government in undertaking the marketing of this fruit and giving to the industry a guaranteed price has been deeply appreciated. Had this not been done the industry would have been in a parlous position. Many orchards would have been abandoned. The question of how those who had been thus employed could have been absorbed in other industries would have presented a real problem. “Many orchard owners have reached j advanced years, and after a long ser- I vice of toil faced a really tragic posi- ' tion. Wisely, we think, the Government decided that from every point of i view, financially and otherwise, the industry should be maintained, and accordingly purchased the entire crop. The Minister of Marketing has made it clear that the maintenance of all essential industries is Government policy and the fruit industry definitely comes under that category.’’