THE CANNING INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2179, 1 May 1908, Page 2

THE CANNING INDUSTRY.

LARGE PROFITS IN FRUITGROWING. A CHAT WITH MR, JAQUES. Mr. W. Jaques, Government- Canning Expert, is at present on a visit to Gisborne in connection with his duties, and will remain here until Sunday next. In a chat with a “Times” reporter yesterday, Mr. Jagues said: “There is a very common impression among people that I am interested only in fruit canning; that is not so, as my duties cover instruction in packing meat, fish, poultry, fruit-, and all other commodities that can be preserved in tins or jars. The Gisborne Sheepfarmers* Freezing Company does a good deal of meat packing, and I will probably pay a visit to the works before I leave.” “I cannot understand why Poverty Bay people do not go in more for l'ruit-growing,”. continued Mr. Jaques. “No class of agriculture pays better, -and it returns the money and the cost of labor expended a hundredfold. Now Zealand is badly in need of a good fruit- supply, and a well regulated fruit and vegetable market. The profits now all go to the shopkeeper, while the consumer is ridiculously over-charged. I only wish I could wake the Gisborne people up to the advantages of fruit culture. The climate is admirably suited for the purpose, and the lovely valleys would grow grapes, lemons, oranges, loquets, figs, apples, pears, cherries, peaches. and apricots to perfection. It is all nonsense to say New Zealand is not a fruit-growing country; it is certainly not at nresent, but it should be. Tins was well shown by the importation of Australian grapes during tho summer, which only had tho effect of making a better demand for the New Zealand fruit,as the locally-grown fruit was of better flavor, and was put on the market in better condition.”

When I camo to Now Zealand four years ago,” said Mr. Jaques, there were only thirteen canneries; there arc now twenty-seven, and the increase in value of their output last vear was £40,000. The market is not by any means yet supplied, but could take ten times the quantity without the need to export a single tin. All the canneries aro paying handsomely, •ind the work of the Department in giving instruction at the Exhibition last year has been greatly appreciated, both by housekeepers and fruit preserving companies. If Gisborne would only go in for fruit-growing on a good basis, a cannery would pay here, tor the Department has power to advance money to co-operative canning companies where it can be .shown there is a sufficient fruit supply to make a plant pay. No doubt Ncw ; Zealand can produce first-class fruit, and, to prove that, I liavo preserved some peaches which will'bo exhibited jit the Franco-Britisli exhibition, to J t?iied in Juno, and those samples Will beat anything from any part of the world.”

“If a horticultural society were formed in Gisborne,” said Mr. Ja- ' conclusion, “fruit-growers ■• ’ ' - I be able to help one another bet- • ay an interchange of ideas and itxuJlo ot experiments. The Department is willing at all times to give advice <m spraying, the destruction ol posts, and ways of preserving orchard” 11 there is money in a good During liis stay Mr. Jaques will visit some of the fruit gardens in the district, and will be'pleased to meet -and give advice to any fruit-grower who may call upon him.