THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19658, 9 June 1927, Page 9

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

A SATISFACTORY YEAR. HOPEFUL. FUTURE PREDICTED, GROWER,S* ANNUAL CONFERENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] • WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation commenced to-day, Mr. T. C. Brash, president, presiding. The Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, in the absence of the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. 0. J. Hawken, attended the opening, and, from figures supplied by the director of agriculture, Dr. C. J. Reakes, reviewed the past year, forecasting a hopeful future for the industry. "Generally speaking, '> said Mr. Young, "tho year ju.«t closed has been a satisfactory ono for the fruitgrower. The total area planted in commercial orchards for the whole of the Dominion stands at approximately 30,000 acres, of which about 75 per cent, consists of apples. A total of 634' commercial orchards was registered during the past year, and £1572 collected in orchard tax. ♦ Product on Local Markets. "Close attention is being given to the inspection of New Zealand-grown fruit at Shops and auction rooms. Ther® is still room for improvement in the quality of the fruit placed on the local markets for sale. The 1926 export season was a record one since the inauguration of the fruit export trade. As the result of a bountiful harvest, tho fruit exported waj over three times the quantity exported in any previous year. It is expected that the total quantity exported this season will reach 670,000 cases, 600,000 cases to Great Britain, and 70,000 cases to South America. "This is slightly less than the 1925 figures, and is due to a large extent to a considerable quantity of fruit being marked by hail, and therefore not suitable for export. With the exception of that from Otago, all fruit is now exported under the jurisdiction of the Fruit Export Control Board, in co-operation with the Fruitgrowers' Federation." Dr. Reakes said he saw no reason why markets should not continue to bo satisfactory. A thing which had given them much thought was the cheapest and best method N of getting fruit to the consumer. If the industry were to prosper, a reduction in the cost of marketing would hastem it. Suggestions had been made for dealing with this by legislation, but while this was worthy of consideration it deserved very thoughtful attention before action was taken. The report and balance-sheet, showing a satisfactory position, were adopted. The Government Guarantee. "There are indications," said Mr. Brash, "that growers realise it is probable that the guarantee will not be continued for a great number of years. We all know the time has to come when we will not be able to claim a guarantee, because unless that time comes it will be an indication that the industry is a failure and cannot be allowed to exist. Growers have suggested that a fund should be provided in the good years, so that when the time comes we will be able to face the position. "The guarantee is invaluable from the outlook of the exporters, and we would like to be able to ask the Government to continue it, at least in that direction. I think a committee should be set np to go into the matter of fixing such a levy." The matter was considered by delegates to be most important as, it was thought, unless the growers could be proved ready to help themselves, the Government would not be inclined to continue the guarantee. In the meantime it was recalled that the Minister of Agriculture bad noted that the industry was making headway, and that it was not intended by the Government to continue the guarantee for long. A committee was set up to put the levy proposal in action. V. MANY VARIETIES OP APPLES. NEED FOR REDUCTION URGED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COBREBPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. "I am informed by the department that last vear there were no fewer than 59 varieties of apples exported from New Zealand," said the Hon. J. A. Young, when addressing the annual conference of tho New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation this morning. "That cannot produce the best results, said the Minister. "What you do is to concentrate on, say, a doaen varieties which it has been proved you can produce to the best advantage, ar;d which have been proved to market well, when better results will be obtained. This cannot be accomplished at once, but your individual and collective experiences, exchanged and solidified in conference, should enable you to eSect an improvement by concentrating, standardising, and perfecting your product."