A FIELD FOR ENTERPRISE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2654, 25 January 1905, Page 13

A FIELD FOR ENTERPRISE.

M. JACQUES SOLARIS SUGGESTIONS.

DRIED FRUIT INDUSTRY. ,(Fbom Oue Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, January 17.

M. Jacques Solari, a representative of^a well-known firm of dried fruit "^rnerchants whose headquarters are in Smyrna, in Asia Minor, has arrived here by way of Auckland. From his observations of the soil and climate of the northern part of this colony he says he feels sure that figs and sultana rasins could be produced here, and" 3, most profitable industry in dried fruits be established. Mr Solari arrived in Sydney from Smyrna on December 2, and came on to Auckland in the Mokoia. He spent four weeks in that district, and is now on his way south. His firm does an enormous business in dried fruits with England and other countries. There are 30,000 tons of sultanas shipped from Smyrna to England annually, the value being from £600,000 to £800,000. About 6,000 tons of figs are sent to England every year, the value of this export being about £150,000. The import of raisins to this colony in 1903 was 600 tons, valued at £10,000, and according to official returns the import of figs in the same year was 310,0001b, representing in value about £4500. This trade is increasing annually. Mr Solari is here on business, and will visit Ghristchurch and Dunedin,