FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 617, 1 February 1916, Page 12

FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY.

ADDRESS BY MR LONGTON. At. the rooms of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Kaugiora, on Friday evening, there was a gathering of members of the Bangiora Fruit Growers' Association and others interested in fruit growing in the district, to hear an address by Mr ,T. Longton, secretary of the New Zealand Fruit Growers' Federation. Mr E. K. Banfield presided. The Government Orchard Instructor (Mr W. J. Courtier) was also present. The subject of Mr Longton's address was the "Federation of Fruit Growers and Organisation of the Fruit Growing Industry." Air Longton said that it was imperative that foreign markets be found to take the surplus of the New Zealand production. A survey of the Dominion should be made to determine the most, suitable localities for fruit growing, and upon these colonies should be formed. With a strong federation of fruit growers it would be possible to provide packing sheds and cool stores, and to institute a proper system of grading. The local market, too, required attention. Fruit was a most beneficial article of diet, but owing to the price not being reasonable enough, the consumption was not as large as it should be. Mr Longton said that it was proposed to levy a tax on orchard lands of .1/- per acre, to provide the funds necessary to put the industry on a sound footing. On the motion of the chairman, Mr T. ,1. Hughes, the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.