FRUIT IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2673, 20 January 1916, Page 8

FRUIT IN AUSTRALIA

GROWERS' LARGE PROFITS. During his trip to the Commonwealth, Mr. A. Bailey Mansfield, Government Orchards Instructor for the district .of Auckland, who returned this week, visited the chief canning factories and cool stores in Victoria- and New South Wales. He also inspected several of the State experimental farms. The principal fruitgrowing districts in Victoria were likewise visited, and he kept in close t-onch with tho State officers connectod with the fruit-growing industry. Tho prospects for a good fruit crop in tlio States visited, says Mr. Mansfield, are excellent, and arrangements havo been made for tho satisfactory marketing of the fruit overseas. The canning industry has received a considerable impetus from the great, demand for fruit for jams to fulfil army contracts, aaul growers were reaping large profits. As much as £12 per ton was being paid for pluni6, and Sir. Mansfield said he could recollect the time when 30s. per ton was considered a fair price. ' Mr. Mansfield met several American fruit dealers ill Australia, and they told him that they had managed to place to good advantage on tho Australian market a considerable quantity of American fruit. There had been somo talk among growers in Victoria concerning an alleged "ring" in the city markets, and growers were interesting themselves in o. ■ co-operation proposal with a viow of overcoming the difficulties experienced l in marketing their fruit. .■