FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2211, 25 July 1914, Page 4

FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY

The enterprise of transforming barren acres into smiling orchards is one which must appeal to every man, and it'isa gratifying fact that tho prospect of effecting such a transformation : is' one which may reasonably be entertained in regard to tens of thousands of acres of land in this country. The present development of the fruit industry in Otago Central, Nelson, and other districts, and the prospective utilisation of great areas of exhausted gum lands in North Auckland seem to warrant the statement made by the Prime Minister a iew evenings ago" that the time of the fruit-growing industry had come, and that, he believed that almost as good results would' accrue to the country' from tho development of this industry as had accrued from the development of the dairying industry. Ihe export of apples and other fruit is increasing very rapidly, and the assistance which the Government ia rendering to the industry will no doubt be appreciated by orchardists, present and prospective. Last year an Act was passed, at the instance of the Prime Minister,', which authorised the Government to lend sums not exceeding £3000 to associations of fruitgrowers for the purpose of erecting cold storos or canning factories. An amending- Bill which passed its second reading in the House of Representatives last week raises the maximum limit of the loan from £3000 to £0000. This increase is deemed advisable on account of the fact that growers prefer to establish Btoroa of ponsidorabln pize- at. the 'principal porta of shipment rather

than smaller and more numerous stores. The Leader of the Opposition and other members rightly emphasised tho desirability of settling land suitable for fruitgrowing in Email areas, and in this connection a suggestion by Sir Joseph Ward that sections should be settled with n, mandatory residence clause seems to deserve consideration. It is certainly desirable that everything possible should be done to prevent mere speculation as against legitimate development of the fruit lands. There is a great deal of land in North Auckland and elsewhere which can apparently be profitably occupied by small settlers, and it would bo a great pity if anything were allowed to hinder or interfere with its occupation and development on satisfactory lines. No doubt many problems await solution, by those who engage in the fruit industry. _ Apart from the incidental difficulties which always obstruct the development of an industry in its early'stages, markets will have to bo spied out abroad for the enormously increased production of fruit which is in prospect. There was a general agreement, however, amongst the members who spoke in the debate on, Mr. Massey's Bill that the industry has splendid prospects ahead of it, and that it offers exceptional opportunities to tho poor man who is on the outlook for means of bettering his condition, and to the small capitalist. Mr. Massey mentioned that ho hoped beforo the session ended to inaugurate- a special scheme of advances to settlers taking up fruit lands. It was left to Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P., by the way, to.point out that there are extensive areas of fruit-growing land, developed or capable of being developed, in various parts,of Wellington Province.