THE FRUIT CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10128, 11 May 1896, Page 5

THE FRUIT CONFERENCE.

A REVIEW OF THE PROCEEDINGS.. [Br TEIiBORAPH,— oorrkspondkht.J Wellington, Saturday. Tira members wenb to Masterton this morning, where they are to be the guests of Mr. Beetlmra.'

The importance of this gathering has created a greater impression here than was anticipated before the commencement of its sittings. This sense of Importance does not arise so much from anything tho Conference has done as the immense field of inquiry it has opened, and the capability of the soil and climate to grow everything in the form of fruit that can be grown in tho mojtfavoured districts of Europe, or for that matter in any part of the world except within the tropics or the polar regions. There was only one thing imperatively demanded during the sittings, and that was legislation to protect the fruit when growing, to prevent rough usage in getting to markob; and to secure energetio growers againsb the consequences of neighbours who neglected to do anything to repress the orchard peats. If yon legislate for the protootlnn of sheep farmers in this direction, and for the protection of public health in the same way, why not legislate for this industry ? That is the question askod. The delegates from the different Australasian Governments have done a most graceful and valuable kindness to New Zealand. They brought most of their official experts with them, and the papers read have been of exceptional merit. The delegates from the North -Messrs. Httnlon, Whangarei; Carrie, Matakana; Gubb, Port Albert) P.O. Thompson, Rodney,* Maokio, Auckland city; Karl, Waikatoj Monson, Mahurangi; G. B. Hntton, Otahuhu; Beoroft, Porb Albert W. Thompson, Birkenhead-'have rendered exoellenb service to their several districts.

The whole thing had very much the aspect of academical teaching or a mutual instruction assemblage on a large scale. Although thore was great difference of opinion thore was the most perfect harmony as to the main object of the Conference. There was only one thing that the meinbors could not agree upon—that was the size, shape, dimensions, and method of packing tho fruit for transit to market. They wenb over this branch of the subjocb two or three timoa, getting into a kind of puzzlo ovary time and beginning over again, until at last tho thing had to bo referred to the next Conference. Bub the zeal, tho earnestness, and suggestivnness of the whole business is admitted here to indicate one of the best and most valuable and innustrial movements over commenced in the colc:.y.

[dy telegraph.— ASSOCIATION.]

| Wellington, Sunday. Delegates to tho Fruit Conference were cordially entertained by Mr. Beotham ab Masterton, and subsequently visited tho Acclimatisation ponds. They express themselves highly pleased with the district, and ab the courtesy of the Government in arranging for the excursion.