NEW ZEALAND'S HOP INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 17

NEW ZEALAND'S HOP INDUSTRY.

PROHIBITION WOULD CRIPPLE HUNDREDS OF FARMS. The severo hardship that would be caused among those engaged in Iho hopgrowing industry in the event of prohibition being carried, was pointed out by the chairman of the Nelson Hop Growers' Cooperative Association at their recent annual meeting:—

" There ate over 200 hop-growers in tho district," ho said, "and if this industry was lost through prohibition being enforced, wo do not know what wo could produce on our farms to givo tlio same return and income.

" To further emphasise tho importance of tho hop-growing industry to tho Nelson > district, I havo taken out figures to show what has been paid to pick tho hopcrop. You will bo amazed to learn, gentlemen, that wo hop-growers during a period of five to six weeks havo paid annually during tho past six years over £14,500, and most of this money has been distributed among women and girls. This ono item alone would bo a serious loss in our particular district, and I am sure would bo felt not only by the pickers, but by every store keeper. " You are all well aware picking is not the only item of expense in raising the hop crop. Labour has to bo found for numbers to attend to the drying, baling, tilling the ground, cutting and stringing the vine, etc., and I do not hesitate in stating that tho cost of this, added to the cost of picking, would total in round figures to anything from £35,000 to £40.000 per annum." No less than £250.000 is paid annually to barley and hop-growers in New Zealand, affording a living to hundreds of families.

Prohibition, as it would be enacted, permits of no compensation whatever to anyone deprived of a living.

This is one of tho many reasons why a big Continuance majority is anticipated.— Advt.