THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY. JUNE 27, 1911.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13143, 27 June 1911, Page 2

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY. JUNE 27, 1911.

The comparative failure of the recent shipment of Nelson apples to the London market is the most disappointing feature of the last fruit season, not only from the point of view of the local growers, but from a national standpoint, for in this matter Nelson is pioneering a movement tlfat in time will exorcise a powerful influence in the expansion of fruit culture in every part of the Dominion where the natural conditions are suitable. The first shipment was largely experimental. Little practical experience was available on tKe spot for the guidance of growers or those responsible for the conveyance of the cargo. Yet that shipment Carried well, and the defects which were discovered in London were attributable id the inexperience of the growers in selecting fruit unsuitable as to ripeness and size, or in faulty packing. Extra precautions were taken -with the last shipment, and these defects were avoided, but the care taken at this end to ensure success was to a large extent nullified by the partial freezing of the fruit en route. The growers have reason to feel exasperated by the misfortunes which have attended their enterprise, but they have no cause to despair of ultimately competing in perhaps the most profitable markets in the fruit world on even torms with their veteran rivals in Tasmania and other States of the Commonwealth, and Canada. Their experience has been the same as that of other colonial industries which have endeavoured to build up an export trade, and which, if they been deterred by one or two, or even many failures, would to-day be of very much less importance than they are. Reports we have received and published ■of late from London brokers indicate that evsn with the long experience of the fruit growors_ of Tasmania, and of the shipping lines carrying produce from that State, unsatisfactory shipments are still by no means unknown. Several Australian shipments during last season opened up in London as poorly as did that from this district, and from the same causes—varying degree or extreme rigour of the temperature maintained in the ship's cool chambers in transit. But we do not hear of Australian orchardists proposing to retire from the export business on account of these reverses. They aro looked upon as ordinary risks in a very lucrative trade. That must be the attitude of the Nelson fruitgrowers, who are now experienced enough in the export business to realise the possibilities it contains. The problem of ascertaining the correct temperature for the carriage of fruit is engaging the earnest attention of experts both hero, and in England, and the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture, who from the first has warmly interested himself in the enterprise, promises a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the hist shipment. He told a "Lyttelton Times" reporter the other day that it was contended that the temperature at which the department instructed fruit was to be shipped (34 or 35 to 38 degrees) was adopted in Australia with success. Others said that the temperature should range from 38 to 42. That, however, was not the advice of those connected with tho trade in Australia. The fruit industry was so important, added Mr. Mackenzie, and so much enterprise was being shown in bringing large areas under fruit, that the department would be stimulated to further action in order that it might overcome the difficulties connected with shipment to the Old Country. Efforts are still being made by Australian exporters to induce the shipping companies to share the losses resulting from errors in temperature on the steamer, and in the case of one shipment at least, the growers' representations have been successful. It is to be trusted that the investigations now proceeding will result before long in the fruit-grower being able to ship his produce with as much confidence of its arrival at its destination in good condition as shippers of other perishable cargo enjoy.