TO MEET BIG MARKETS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1993, 25 February 1914, Page 8

TO MEET BIG MARKETS

OUR CHANCES IN FRUIT.

MR MASSEY ON THE SUBJECT.

STATE'S FOSTERING HAND,

(By Tolesrauh—Prea Awccictlon.i Hastings, February 24. Tho Hon. W. F. Massey formally opened the Bay, Produce and Cool Storage Company's isew promises at Hastings at noon to-day. Mr. E. H. Williams, chairman of tho company, introduced the Prims Minister to tilt; fruitgrowers who attended the ceremony. ' Replying to tire address of welcome, Mr. Massey said that he was glad, not only as far as Hawke's Bay was concerned, but-in the, interests of tho Dominion, that tho fruit-growing industry was not to be allowed to languish. In different parts of Now Zealand people wero_ beginning to realise that fruit- 1 growing was destined to become a very important industry, aud that., in NewZealand, there was a suitable soil and suitable climate, and that lately there had been a good market—almost an unlimited market—for apples. He was referring to South America. People now understood the ■ treatment of th<) different soils, and'tho culture that was necessary if. they wero .to become successful fruit farmers, aid they alsfl understood what the- varieties of fruits suitable for export were.

State's Advance of £25,000. Referring to what had recently been done by the Government, Mr. Massey said that lie w&S greatly impressed hy the'growth of'the'industry, awl he fully realised the possibilities of the future. : Last year the exports had more than doubled, an.4 he foli confident, that they would bo doubled again. Last session he took tho' opportunity, as Minister of Agriculture, .o-f asking Parliament for a sum of £25,000 for the pucp&so of granting loans to fruit-growers' associations, who desired to- n.ako provision for cold storage. The amount was sanctioned, and.,-although he had not. yet actually received the £25,000, >«• expected to receive it shortly. When that happened, those, associations who required assistance would ho able , to come along to " tho ' Crown for loans,'and lie-would- do all in his power to' help'tho'industry. ' (Applause.) The limit on loans would bo^SCQO.

■ Further Grant Likely.. Continuing, the' Prime Minister Said that his experience from one end of the Dominion to the other was that, in pears and apples, growers wore able to produce the eqttal of anyUiin?. in tho world,-not excepting those sup-plying the liondon market. (Applause.)' Jfow thatthere was a good market, the industry should ahead' by leaps and bounds, and he felt-sure that, when the £25,000 granted by Parliament had. been spent judiciously and: advantageously, a' furr. tlier. sum would bo granted'far tho sanib purpose. . ' ■ '' .OTHER FUNCTIGNS. > lOXA GIRLS' COLLEGE OPENED. In. the afternoon the Prime Minister opened tho loua Presbyterian Girls' College at Havelock North. It is. a (Splendid brick building, situated on the Havelock Hills. The Rev, James Patterson presided at the ceremony, and presented a gold key to the- Prime Minister, and. also gold keys to Sir, H.igh Campbell, of Breadalbane, and Mr. Mason Chambers, 'of two gentleman who presented the twelve acj'es of latid on which the college is builk Mr. Massey, in the course of a short congratulatory address to the promoters of the college, said. that ho was sure that tho people of the Dominion thoroughly appreciated the benefit of education.' The money, which New Zealand devoted to education was.well spent. Acquiring Land Near Prospective , Railway, In the morning tlio Prime Minister was waited on by a deputation' from the Chamber of Commerce, who requested tho Government to grant a snbsidy towards tho cost of bridging the Rangitikei River on the Napier-i'aihape Road. Mr. Massey promised to lay. tho. request beforo tho Minister of Public 'Works. The deputation also urged tho Govern" ment to set up a conuftissioii to inquire into the title of Native lands. «)i tho route of the East Coast railway.' and that tlieso lands should bo purchased before tho line went through. The Prime Minister replied that it was the policy of the Government to acquire lands oil the route of new lines, and as much as possible would be- purchased oft' tho East Coast route.. _ He would lay the request for a commission t-o inquire into the'Nativo titles before, the Native Miltister.