PUBLIC OPINION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 49, 13 March 1937, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION

G. O.

McCUTCHEON.

Apples to Schools (To the Editor„) . Sir,— -An articie in your colunms some f6w " days ago in cohnection with .the idea of giving school children an appiq each day has aroused considerable interest ambng orchar.dists and others interested in " Hawke 'a Bay, and the writer has had several orchar.dists mention the matter to him, expressing the hope- that the scheme would not be abandoned in its infancy. ' A rough survey of the figures shows that the cost of the scheme would be very . much smaller than many would thifik, "and* I- consider that the matter has been opened at a partieularly weli chcsen time, It is admitted that dental health jn New Zealand schools is among the worst in the world, and it is almogo admitted that because of emburgocs, locai production in eountries whiclx fbrmerly imn.ported our fruit, and vaiL ous other reagons hui profitable frrir rnark'et oyerseas has declined, whereas our ' production ' has increased. On top of this know that tho consnmptioa of apples per person in New Zealand is weli bolow what it should be congiclering the wealth. of fruit which abounds around us. For some time past it has been realised that we shall haye to depend more ori 'ou local market and way and means have been sought to develop that market. iisptcially with this in zaind the idea seems an excollent one for the opening of a campaign to stimulate local consumption. If our worthy Mayor or Member will sponsor the scheme it will certainly prove a huge benefit to growers. Could local orchardists and others interested be persuaded to write giving fheir ideas on the subjeet, price to be allowed, efcc., I see no reason why tho scheme should not become a national one resulting in hugely increased local consumption. Come on you orchardists — the ball has been set nolling. Get together and give it a goo.d ehove off. —

Yours, etc.,.

Hastings, March 13, 1937.