FRUIT-CROWING INDUSTRY.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13774, 15 July 1913, Page 4

FRUIT-CROWING INDUSTRY.

PPvIME MINISTER OPTIMISTIC.

ADVANCES TO GROWERS

[United Pkess Association.]

Wellington,. July 14. The importance of the fruit industry was emphasised by the Prime Minister, who opened the proceedings at the conference of fruitgrowers and representatives of the- shipping companies today.

Mr. Massey; congratulated them on the marked improvement that had taken plaoo since last year in connection with the industry. The exports of apples for the season prior to the one just ■terminated were 17,000 cases, ■whereas last season the exports for South America alone were 30,000 cases. By the time all the records were available it would doubtless be* found that the total exports had more than doubled Ho was quite aware that the increase was partly owing to the fact that there was a short supply "from Tasmania, but Now Zealand fruitgrowers had secured the market, and ho hoped^they would retairi vffe Tho success of fruitgrowing depended upon the quality of the supply, and it was the duty of the exporters to see that, everything was done to keep up the quality, and please the customers at the other end. There was reason to believe that the climate of New1 Zealand was''just' as favourable for the growth of fruit as that oi Tasmania. A s Prims- Minister, and as a nriyato member, he had travelled from one end of New Zealand to the other. Ho had seen tho magnificent apples grown in. th > sub-tropical climate of the far north of New Zealand, and had soon apples just as excellent grown near th© snow lino in Central Otago. If this

wore the case as far as extreme climates were concerned, it was safe to say that a great deal could be done in regard to fruit growing in tho country lying between these two zones. Tlie fruit-growing industry Mas going to bo a most important one, arid theState was going to do all it could to assist tho industry. Tho Government hoped to be able to put through legislation enabling one oi tho Departments Ho make advances to associations for i providing storage and canneries and I helping the industry generally. It had helped the dairying industry, and it 1 hoped to bo able to help the fruitgrowers.

Tho conference proceeded in camera.