DISPOSAL OF THE APPLE CROP.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14152, 14 April 1916, Page 4

DISPOSAL OF THE APPLE CROP.

In consequence of the extraordinary position as regards shippingj and the increased production of apples, New Zealand is faced with the question of the disposal of what may be called a. surplus of that useful fruit. This surplus has been estimated at .100,000 cases for the Dominion, of which Nelson's proportion has been put down at 30.000 cases. The quantity is not really large, and could easily be absorbed Under certain conditions. Were the output of our orchards controlled on lines which Amorican growers havt! found necessary, there would probably ho no difficulty in tho matter. As things are, however, with grovors carrying on the industry largely on in-, dividualistic lines, the outlook is not promising. The auctioneers in some centres, faced with unremuncrative oilers, are asking that consignments should be regulated. But tljcro is ft feeling that something can be done, and this has been expressed to tho members of the Board of Trade. The basis of tbo proposal is the perfectly natural one that Kew Zealand should do what other countries bare done in simiiav circumstances - and eat its own apples. ■It seems late in the day to Jiavo to impress on people the value.of apple:-- as food, but if that point lias to bo-emphasised,- let it. be done by all means. Surely, if the fruit *is made available at' a" reasonable price, it will ho. readily bought. Tho thing necessary is to'get the applies distributed to places that require them. Here is

Whore it is .thought'the Government can assist. The Board of Trade appear to be sympathetic, and by their aid and in other ways the' Government .may well be approached. Incidentally, the point is worth ' considering whether apples ooiild.not bo more liberally supplied to tho soldiers in training camps and on. transports 'as part of their regular■ ration^.