THE WINE-MAKING INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1606, 25 November 1912, Page 4

THE WINE-MAKING INDUSTRY.

A DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. (By TeHesrapli.—Press Association.) Auckland, November 24, A deputation representing the viticultural and wine-making industries waited on the Prime Minister on Saturday. Captain Young, who headed the deputation, pointed out that the drastio legislation passed and proposed imposed such restriction on the wino-making industry as to threaten it. with extinction, and relief was consequently sought on behalf of the large population employed in bringing into profitable cultivation considerable areas of the poorest lands in the Dominion. Another matter urged was the compulsory registration of wine-sellers to ensuw the sale of pure Now Zealand wine. Unless eome protection from tho fear of the prohibition aim towards abolishing the industry were afforded, the country would be a heavy loser, and an excellent method of making poor lands profitable would disappear. Mr. Massey: "It seems to mo that you want something more than the fear of Prohibition removed I What is it you want?"

"Wo want New Zealand-made wines exempted from the operation of tho Prohibi-tion-law," replied a member of the deputation. "Is that all you want?" further inquired the Prime Minister. •

To ivliioh it was urged that wine licenses should be issued in various tott-ns.

One member said, that he was cultivating five-aores, and were tho restrictions removed he could comfortably make J6IOOO a year from the area. If National Prohibition wero carried, he, together with all other vigorous, would be ruined. ■ The Government hod given birth to this industry, and established experimental farms to assist it, and now seemed about to strangle it, was the complaint of tho deputation. The Prime Minister sai dhe had always understood that tho North of Auckland and tho East Coast of tho island contained large areas of land peculiarly suitable for wine production, and he saw no reason why the industry should not be encouraged. As a matter of fact, ho understood that tho consumption of ijood wholesome' light wines tended to sobriety among people, rather than intemperance. "i am, however, just as strongly of opinion," added Mr. Massey, "that the production of villainous stuff, the effects of which we had an instance of at Henderson the other day, should be stamped right out, and I believe it has been tho use of such liquid that has dono so much harm to tho genuine wine-growing industry in tliis country."

The Prime Minister went on to say that although he could not personally commit the Government to any legislation, ho would submit the representations of the deputation to Cabinet, and would inform them of the Government's decision beforo Parliament met next year.