THE INTER-COLON FRUIT CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10124, 6 May 1896, Page 5

THE INTER-COLON FRUIT CONFERENCE.

[vt TKLIWRAPII.— PRESS association.] VVellikotos, Tuesday. The Fruib Conference resumed at '2.30 p.m. Papers entitled "The Cultivation Commercially of Banana, Pineapple, and other Sub-Tropical Fruits," by Mr. W. Soultoh, Queensland, and " Pineapple Disease,'' by Dr. J. Lanterer, Queensland, were submitted to the conference and briefly discussed. The next paper was by Mr. E. Blix, of Queensland, and was entitled "Fruit Production and Consumption." The writor pointed out that statistics showed that the proportion of fruit consumed in the colonies per hoad of population was ridiculously small. Tho middleman was blamed for this state of things, bub tho writer contended thatthomiddlemanwasforcedintocut-tliroat competition through no fault) of his own. The producer was in many respects responsible, and took no pains to regulate the market and prices. * The writer urged that only the best and most attractive fruitß should be grown, and more care should be taken in tho selection of trees. In order to bring the grower and consumer into closer communication with each other, the former must nob loso sight of the necessity for careful pinking and packing of fruit. The introduction of a standard fruit case of uniform size was absolutely necossary in ordor to place tho fruit trade of Australasia on a sound footing. It was greatly to be doplorod thab more facilities wero nob offered to fruitgrowers in the matter of cheap and efficient railway carriage in ordor to place their products on tho markob. Thero was too uiuoh damage to fruit carried by rail under present arrangements. Ho felt sure that if some improvement was made in this direction, much higher prices would bo realised. He also complained strongly of the rough and caroless handling fruit cases wore subject to in transit on railways, his complaint being directed especially at the Victorian and New South Wales authorities. He believed tho trade would never be pub on a sound footing until the producers worked in harmony with each other, agreed bo sink all petty jealousies, and combined to form agencies and exchanges; and he showed how this would tend to revolutionise the industry. Growers should form themselves into strong bodios, and never rest until their difficulties were overcome. Mr, Fowlor (Pemborton) referred to the careless way in which fruit was handlod on the New Zealand Railways, and he hoped some notice would bo taken of the matter by tho railway authorities. Mr. Lorie (Teviot) said the fruit from Teviot was most carefully handled by the railway people. The complaint only showod how necessary it was for growers to cooperate; if they did so their requests would bo attended to, and where practicable given effecb to. Mr. Williams (Victoria) said the Victorian railway officials always exhibited the greatest care in the handling of fruib. Mr. Burfoob (Nelson) thought thero could be considerable improvement in the way fruit was handled on the New Zealand railways. Mr. Ayera (Christchurch) contended tho growers wore greatly to blamo in their packing, and said the middleman and railway people were often blamed for what wps the fault of the growers. Moro care was also required in directing and regulating of shipmonts. Mr. Karl (Waikato) said the growers in his district were thoroughly satisfied with the way in which the railway officials handler) fruit. Mr. Thompson (Auokland) suggested the formation of a' vigilance committee to watch the interests of growers, especially in the matter of transit.

Mr. Bennett (Teviot) thought some steps should bo taken to secure better and moro careful treatment of fruit cargoes on board vessels. The pilfering of fruit from oases in transit was prevalent both on sea and land.

Mr. Mackie (Auckland) advocated close cases to provide against pilfering. Mr. Piper (Nolson) thought tho auction room system of disposing of troes was responsible for the bad selection of trees. Several other delegates also took part in the discussion, after which the author of the paper was accorded a voto of thanks. At 5 p.m. Conference adjourned till 7.30 p.m. Mr. Adams (Pahiatua) gave notico to move, " That it is desirable that this Conference should recommend a standard size for fruit packages. The Conference resumed at 7.30,

Mr. J. Mayo, New Zealand Government Pomologiet, read a paper on " Fruit woo 9tock propagation, grafting, and budding, with remarks on the relation of scion to stock." Mr. James Gibbie, curator of the publio gardens, Oamaru, also submitted a paper on the same subject. Both papers were of a technical character, and dealt fully with the differont raothoda of grafting and most suitable stocks.

In the discussion which followed, Mr. Tamblyn (Toviot) said that the question of the most Stable stocks depouded on tbe nature of the ground of the orohard. Mr. Gimblett (Cbristchurch), dwelt on the necessity of obtaining some stock for preservation of fruit trees.

Mr. Bennett (Toviot) said very good peaches could bo raised from seedlings, which, though longer in bearing sometimes gave the raiser a new variety. Mr. Mutton (Otahuhu) warned delegates against the introduction of American seed lings owing to the liability of contracting pest, especially black rob. Mr. Campbell (New South Wales) thought too much stress had been placed upon the effect of the stock upon fruit. The fertilization of flowers had more to do with the flavour of fruit than anything else. Several other delegates also took part in the discussion, which was mostly of a technical character. Votes of thanks were

passed to the authors of both papers. The next paper was by Mr. M. E. Manuel (Teviot), and was entitled, " Fruit Culture at Teviot, Otago." Tho writer traced the devolopmont of the fruit industry'in his district, and detailed the steps that were taken to open up markets for their products. If they had railway communication to the Teviot district the industry would become a very large one, especially as steps were now boing taken to foster the dried and preservod branch of trade. Tho district was now sending away over 400 tons of fresh fruit a year, and besides this, the district) was extremely rich in lignite deposits, so that railway communication would also have the effect of Cyoi.''ig up a large coal industry. Mr. Williams (Victoria), thought the question of opening up railway communication was a matter for the Government of the Colony, and not for this Conference. Mr, Piper (Nelson) considered the oxperience of the Treviot fruitgrowers, in the face of so many difficulties, should encourage growers in other parts of the colony bo persevere with the industry. Mr. Gillespie (Blenheim) thought it the duty of this Conference to impress upon tho Government the desirability of affording the Teviot district railway communication with outsido markets. Tho Chairman ruled that this was not a mattor that tho Conference could go into. Sevoral other delegates discussed the paper, after whioh the usual vote of thanks was passed. At half-post ten p.m. the Conference adjourned till half-past two tomorrow. The New Zealand delegates have arranged to meet in the morning "to discuss matters affecting the fruit industry in New Zealand. Mr. Norie (Teviot) has given notice to move that tho cleansing of orchards be ravin oompulßory by law. It was decided that notices of motion should not be discussod until all the papers had been disposed of.