Raspberry Growing as Rehabilitation Undertaking

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1948, Page 3

Raspberry Growing as Rehabilitation Undertaking

WELLINGTON, Jan 28. Raspberry growing as a rehabilitation undertaking is discussed in a statement from the Rehabilitation Board. The board considers there is scope to produce a considerable amadditional quantity of raspberries annually in New Zealand and find a profitable market for them. Probably from 600 to 700 tons more could be absorbed. This would warrant establishing a large number of new units, although raspberry growing- by itself is neither favoured nor recommended. The board states that it has gone thoroughly into the subject of growing and marketing raspberries as a rehabilitation avenue for Qualified ex-servicemen. It maintains that raspberry growing should be undertaken only in conjunction with other suitable crops. This would spread the risk incurred with a fruit which is; so .susceptible to frost and drought It would also provide continuity of employment for seasonal workers at other ' than raspberry picking times, since an extended season may help to attract and hold such workers in the locality. The board feels there is scope for quite a number of suitable ex-service-men to undertake raspberry growing, providing they do so combined wita some other form of subsidiary farming. It will proffer loan assistance, at rehabilitation concession rates, for this purpose to ex-servicemen graded A for small fruits, flower growing, market gardening, asparagus, horticulture or poultry farming, and who wish to establish new units for ing raspberries as a main undertaking in conjunction with other crops” for which they have been specifically graded. . rnAAn The extent of the Joan is £2OOO. which is for house and land, on the basis of a rural workers’ home, together with further advances for economic capital expenditure, providing the applicant, is able, during the development of his unit to earn his living from cash crops or from outside work. Such extra assistance will also be conditional on the ability of the property and the exserviceman’s proposition .to provide a reasonable Jiving after meeting commitments and other outgoings.