FRUIT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 13

FRUIT INDUSTRY

ASSISTANCE DESERVED

IMPORTANCE TO DOMINION

MR. SEMPLE AT NELSON

[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NELSON, Thursday

The view that the producers who grow swell a liealtli-prodwc.ing foodstuff as fruit were entitled to receive the assistance end co-operation of the Government was emphasised by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, who, together with Mr. H. Atmore, M.P., attended the provincial conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation. The chairman, Mr. Dicker, welcomed the Minister. Growers, he said, recognised the great interest the Government had manifested in their welfare and he was satisfied the Government was anxious to bring about a muchneeded improvement in the condition of the primary industries. Unless the Government* came to the aid of the fruit industry, as it had to other branches of primary production, the industry was going to bo in a very serious position.

The Minister, referring to added costs as a result of the Government's legislation, said the Government would bo lacking in its duty if it did not extend concessions to the fruitgrower*. It was not the intention of the Government to give advantage to any particular section of the community at the expense of any other section. A Government that proceeded along those lines would automatically trip itself. The industry the conference represented was a national one of vital importance to the country, in that it produced a healthy foodstuff. "If we consumed more of what you produce and less of the stuff we get from the jungle wo would bo healthier," said Mr. Semple.

The M inister went on to say he was losing no sleep or worrying about tho follow who wanted something for nothing. Ho believed the real essence of citizenship was service. It was the bounden duty of the Government to keep an industry like fruitgrowing on its feet and see that those who produced such health-giving foodstuffs received the goodwill, co-operation and assistance of the Government. Mr. Semple added that in connection with tho commission of inquiry the Government intended to make the most searching inqujry possible to get right down to tho kernel of things. When it knew where disease was it would apply the remedy.