A PROTEST.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1211, 21 August 1911, Page 4

A PROTEST.

BY NORTH AUCKLAND WINEGKOWLiiS, IBs Telegraph.—Prm Association.! Auckland, August 19. A meeting of the wine-growers of North Auckland was hold here this morning to pretest against the remarks made by a deputation to the Minister for Justice, alleging that wine produced north of Auckland , was doctored, and that tho business; was olio of the most, pernicious things in connection with tho solo of liqner in N.sw Zealand.

Mr. John Vella, who presided, said that, like most of (tho other Austrian manufacturers of wine, ho was induced (welvo years ago to start by Professor Kirk, a Government officer oi' high standing. Ho invested all his savings in a vineyard, and now, when ho and others began to sco tho fruits of their labour.*, they wcao harassed and accused of things obviously untrue. Bceaitse a section of political agitators found fault with some Austrians, they tried to cast a stigma over every viticulturist in tho north.

Another .speaker agreed that tho sale of bad wine should be stopped, but objected to tho proposal that wine should only bo sold in district.? where it was manufactured, breause t.lierc was no cha.noo of disposing of wine unless by hawking. It was resolved to call a general meeting of wine-growers, with a view to forming an association to draft a Bill for presenting to Parliament, embodying tho ntc-Espary facilities for the betterment of tho industry; also to ask tho Government; analyst to analyse all wine iu tho cellars in the northern district,