FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22008, 15 January 1935, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA RESTRICTIONS ON GRAPES Trade between New Zealand and Australia is at present greatly handicapped by regulations and restrictions, but these are by no means the product of the 20th century. As far back as half a century ago deputations were being received by Ministers, who listened to the plea/ for the removal of dirties on various goods. In the Nkw Zealand Herald of .January 15, 1885, there is an account of a request made by fruit importers that grapes should be allowed .to come in from various Australian States.

" Mr. Larnach received a deputation of fruit importers in Wellington yesterday on the subject of removing restrictions on the importation of grapes," stated the Hkkald. " The deputation pointed out that comparatively few grapes are grown in the colony, and what were grown were hothouse productions. The importation of grapes could not possibly affect those of New Zealand, which were at present suffering, not only from phylloxera, but also from other diseases. The deputation urged that the vineyards of the Australian colonies were, with very few exceptions, clear at the present time. It was further urged that as the grapes grown in the colony were the products of the hothouse their price was prohibitive to the general public. "Jn reply, Air. Larnach said he would convey the views of the deputation to his colleagues. Personally, he was opposed to removing the restrictions, as he believed that disease might be transmitted not only through grapes but also by the importation of raisins. Communications that the Government had received from the Government of Australian colonies showed that whereas Adelaide was clean, Victoria and Sydney were still infected, and he thought a danger of infection to New Zealand might arise if grapes were shipped at Melbourne for tyiis colony. He considered that people should bo glad of restrictions as they tended to create an industry."