STATUS OF WINE INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17101, 5 March 1919, Page 8

STATUS OF WINE INDUSTRY

ATTITUDE IN NEW SOUTH WALES Although careful to indicate that -he was not expressing any considered deci- . sion ,of the Government, the New South Wales Minister for Lands, Mr. Ashford, -told -a deputation from the Now- South Wales Alliance that he was not disposed -to limit or prohibit the viticultu'ral industry in the State, *-The deputation was introduced by the ; president of the Alliance, Rov. R. B. S. . Hammond, who urged that the wine in?d)istry i should Ibe discouraged.- Special • ..exception was taken, to the .proposal to ; ■■ 'repatriate .returned eoldiers/ by settling them-, on areas , set apart, for vineyards. There were:many other departments of agriculture,'it Was stated, in which the -returned sojdiei's could ho engaged. .' ':/ During the course, of a lengthy reply r . ■jfcbe ; Minister..«aid he took .the, view that ; ». the .wine. industry should hbe -.separated .-'}.. from the ordinary liquor, tjnestion. ~ Although- the effort he was making, said "-;-•; „Mr. Ashford, to settle'soldiers on vine, yard country was the first organised effort of . the ( kind.- it:, was not an innovation. .. '--Many pimt Gbvornrriftriis had .encouraged , '.the establishment. of- viticulture. Per- ', . sonally,, ho thought-.there was a' better ;■'-.-';•. chunco to settle soldiers in that way- than ,'■-;,.--in any other* He 1 would, favour Pariia- :...-■ giving Tigncit-ns'iecurity of tenure, -", iprovidin*; such a measure was surrounded , .with certain icstnctious;-...;