THE INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT CONFERENCE..

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10125, 7 May 1896, Page 3

THE INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT CONFERENCE..

MEETING OP NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES.' {bv TJfXBQIUPII.— PRESS association.] Wellington, Wednesday. A meeting of New Zealand delegates to the Inter-colonial Fruit-growers' Conference was hold this morning, Mr. A. Ayers, of Christchurch, in the chair. The first matter dealt with was the desirability of fixing on a standard packing-case for fruit. Mr. J. Avery (Nelson) moved," That the Nelson standard sizo of fruit case be recommended by this Conference for adoption for colonial use, the pize of the full case to be 28 inches long, 14 inches wide, 7 inches deep, and half case, 28 inches by 7 inches by 7 inches.'' Mr. Grapes (Wellington) moved, as an amendment, "That the case adopted by the Auckland fruit-growers, measuring inside 11 inches by 12 inches by 20 inches, be recommended. Mr. Loue (Teviot) moved a- further amendment, " That the Government should be asked to introduce legislation making the use of new and uniform cases compulsory, the size to be tho, same as the Nelson case." A very long discussion ensued, in the course of which several delegates Btrongly condemned the practice of packing fruit in cases which had already been used, as they had found that an old case introduced the codlin moth and other pests into orchards. Mr. Avery explainedthattheNelson cases were made of white pine, and cost Sd each, Mr. Hanlon (Wlmngarei) urged that Californian ca?os should be adopted. The general opinion of those who spoke was that a uniform sizo of case should be adopted, but there was considerable diversity of opinion as to the most suitable size. Mr. Lamb Lyn (Teviot) thought it would be in' the interests of growers if they \tw« required to steam the cased, so as to kill any pests which might have got into the wood. Mr Tiper (Nelson) said he would like to see a uniform case adopted, but he thought it would be a mistake to make the use of any case compulsory. After further discussion, Mr. Loue's amendment was lost by a large majority. Mr. Grapes' amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. A further amendment by Mr. Loue, that the Government be requested to make the use of new cases compulsory, was carried by a large majority. A further amendment by Mr. Hanlon (Auckland), that one uniform case of the Auckland size be adopted, was negatived by a large majority, Mr. Avery's motion for the adoption of the Nelson case \Vas finally cirried by a vory large majority. On the motion of Mr. Carpenter (Christchurch), it was unanimously decidod, "That ib is desirable, in the interest of fruitgrowing generally, that an annnal Conference be held in various centres of New Zealand of those interested in the work." Mr. Barker (Geraldinc) moved, " That in order to prevent the spread of pests, the Government be asked not to return empty cases free." This lapsed for want of a seconder. A motion by Mr. Hutton (Auckland), "That the Government should establish experimental fruit stations in the vicinity of the principal centres of the colony," was carried unanimously. Mr. J, Taylor (Woodville) moved, "That in the opinion of this Conference of New Zealand fruitgrowers it is most essential, in the interests of the fruit industry of this colony, that the Government should undertake the establishment of a model fruitpreserving factory in some central position, say Wellington, to be worked under State control, and under the immediate management of an experienced and thoroughly competent officer conversant with the most approved methods of fruit preserving in all its branches, the said factory to serve the double purpose of affording in our midst an example of an efficiently managed and pro-perly-equipped institution, and to serve as a training school for persons desirous of becoming efficient managers of co-operative fruit preserving factories ultimately to be established throughout the colony." This was lost ■ ■ - At one p.m. the meeting was adjourned till four p.m. On resuming at four p.m., Mr. Mitchell (Christchurch) moved a resolution recommending that a wholesale fruit market should be established in each centre. This was ruled out of order as being matter for each centre to consider. The question of the election of an Executive Committee to manage arrangements in connection with the proposed annual Conference of New Zealand Fruitgrowers was discussed at considerable length. Mr. Avery (Nelson) moved, "That the Department of Agriculture be requested to convene annually a Conference of Fruitgrowers in the colony.'' Mr. Moller (Nelson) moved an amendment setting up an executive to carry out tiie recommendations of this Conference relating to the holding of an annual Conference, The amendment was.rejected, and the motion was carried almost unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Hanlon (Auckland), it was unanimously decided, "That th\H Conference recommend the Government to take such steps as may tend to the storage of fruit on tho flat, and the careful handling of the same during carriage to market." A motion, providing for a ballot to determine the best kinds of apples, pears, etc., wns lost. It was decided that the resolution passed at this meeting be handod over to the Secretary of Agriculture. This was all tho business.

INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT SHOW. The Intercolonial Fruib Show, which opened to day, partook more of an exhibit of New Zealand fruit than of a competitive character. The exhibits were divided into North Inland and South Island sections. Messrs. Hanlon and Palmer (Auckland) and Mays Bros. (Palmorston North) had a fine collection of apples, pears, etc. Messrs. Williamson (Patea), Beecroft (Port Albert), and Grapes (Wellington), sent exhibits of fruit suitable for export. Growers in ea".h province in the South Island had combined, and made a united exhibit of various kinds of fruit. Some fine specimens of grapes j were sent by North Island and South Island growers, and thore were also several exhibits of wines, preserved and evaporated fruits, and horticultural appliances. The Inter-colonial Fruit Conference resumed at seven p.m. Mr. L. J. Corrif (Queensland) read a paper on "The Cultivation of Citrus fruits." He referred to the favourable climatic conditions in Queensland for the cultivation of citrus fruit, and explained that the industry bad now assumed important dimensions. "The Cultivation of Citrus Fruit in New Zealand " was the title of another paper, the writer being Mr. W. J. Palmer, New Zealand Government Pomologist. He pointed out that the climate and soil of the North of this Island were well adapted to the cultivation of lemons, and he gave some hints as to how the fruit should be handled when fit for removal from the trees. A third paper was by Mr. W. S. Williams, of Victoria, and was entitled, " The Culture arid Curing of Lemons. 1 ' The writer emphasised the necessity of placing trees in a sheltered spot, and recommended that they should be sprayed with kerosene to eradicate insects. Lemons as good as those which came from Messina could be grown in Australasia, and he saw no reason why the colonies could not only supply all that was required south of the line, but send large quantities to Europe as well. Considerable discussion took place on lite three papers. Mr. Brabant (Bay of Plenty) said the lemon was a most profitable fruit to cultivate, and the soil of his district was well adapted for its cultivation. Mr. Gubb (Auckland) maintained that oranges as good as those which came from the Islands could be grown in the Auckland district. , Mr. Palmer asserted that New Zealand would never be able to grow oranges equal to those produced in the South Sea Islands. f The authors of the papers were accorded a vote of thanks. Separate papers on "The Cultivation of the Vine in New Zealand, 1 ' were read by Messrs. W. J. Palmer (Auckland), L. Hanlon (Whangarei), and W. Beefcham (Masterton). In his paper, Mr. Palmer expressed the opinion that good grapes could bo grown in the open, especially along the east coast of tho North Island. He felt convinced fruitgrowing would become one of the principal industries of New Zealand.' Mr. Hanlon, in bis paper; said that before long many pari* of the colony, between

Central Ofcago and the North of Auckland, would become large producers of grapes, from which excellent wines could be made. The climate was not Warm enough to enable strong alcoholic wines to be produced. He strongly condemned tho sophistication of wines. The premier vineyard of the colony was the Green Meadow, Taradale, near Napier. He strongly advocated tho establishment by the Government) of an experimental vineyard, believing that ib would greatly tend to assist those engaged in viticulture in New Zealand. He deplored the prohibition by the Government of the importation of vinos and cuttings, and suggested that the Government should bring into the colony vines which were found to be absolutely free from disease. Mr. Beethain believed ib would be found by experiment that parts of New Zealand would prove equal to portions of the best wine-producing countries in Europe. No discussion took place, and votes of thanks were passed to the authors of these

papers. At 10 p.m. Conference adjourned till 10 a.m. next day.