BLAME THE TRADE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 935, 6 February 1908, Page 20

BLAME THE TRADE.

During the course of an interview recently regarding the viticultural station 1

at Waerenga, Mr McNab said he had found on looking into the matter that it had developed into a wine-making centre. The question then arose as to whether the Government was to become a producer of wine or whether it should carry out its experimental work for the benefit of prospective viticulturists. He had decided in connection with all these stations that the” were to be run on experimental lines only. When the adaptability of a certain breed of animal or variety of fruit to particular climatic conditions had been determined the State’s duty was at an end. Thev had passed this stage at Waerenga and were calculating to produce a large revenue from the regular sale of wine. The work was accordingly cut down to the experimental stage again. At Arataki, in Hawke’s Bay as well, the place was altered so as to become a general fruit station on a much larger scale than formerly. “ The scheme of wineproducing had no friends,” Mr McNab went on, “ some people thought it was only opposed by temperance men, but its greatest enemies were those in the trade.” Respecting the importation of Australian grapes, the Minister said that the fiction of phylloxera had long ago been dropped by experts. New Zealand grapes would always have a place on the market, and he mentioned that at Hokianga he had observed fine berries retailed at 3d per lb.

(We cannot understand the Minister’s reference to the Trade- No possible reason can be assigned for the Trade being opposed to New Zealand wine, except the strong one, that it has no demand. We have observed Waerenga wines on sale at some of our leading hotels, bu' with what results, we are unab’e to say.—Ed.)