Grape Growing Worries N.Z. Alliance

Chronicle (Levin), 5 August 1948, Page 5

Grape Growing Worries N.Z. Alliance

WELLINGTON, Angust 4. Serious eoncern at the possibility that no lieensing legislation will be introducod to Parliament this year, was pxpressed in a motion passed at the ann'ual meeting of the New Zealanii Alliance today. The resolution sought an immodiate assurance from the Prime Minister that legislation will be introduced in time for adequate consideration during this session. Alarm at the report ed increase of the acreage for wine producing purposes, was expressed in another resolution. The acreage was stated to liave risea from 56 1 acres in 1943 (160 not in bearing) to S50 in 1947, while an "Australian company had announced that it was authorised to plant a further 200 acres. The resolution referred to the Agricultural Department 's report to the Roval Connnission "on Licensing that ' 'tliere is very little need for any further expansion to meet the Dominion's'future reqmrements in wines." To oifset "the dangcrs associated with the increase in wine production/' the meeting urged the Govermnent to utilise the Te Kauwhata experimental grape producing areas for the purpose producing suitable non-alcoholie fruit i. k. health beverages.