ON TOUR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16484, 25 February 1914, Page 11

ON TOUR.

PRIME MINISTER IN HAWKE’S BAY.

ADDRESS TO FRUITGROWERS,

STATE LOANS TO ORCHARDISTS [Ter Press Association.] HASTINGS, February 24.

Tho Right Hon W. F. Massey, Prime Minister, formally opened tho Hawke’s Bay Produce and Cool Storago Company’s new premises at Hastings at noon to-day. Mr E. 11. Williams, chairman of tho company, introduced the Prime Minister to the fruit-growers who attended tho ceremony.

Replying to the address of welcome, Mr Massey said that he was glad, not only as far as Hawke’s Bay vlas concerned, hut in tho interests of the dominion, that the fruit-growing industry was not bo allowed to languish. In different parts of New Zealand people were beginning to realise that fruitgrowing was destined to become a very important industry, and that in New Zealand there was a suitable soil and suitable climate, and that lately there had been a good market, almost an unlimited market, for apples. He was referring to South America. People now understood tho treatment of the different soils and the culture that was necessary if they wero to become. successful fruit farmers, and the varieties of fruits suitable for export. Referring to what had recently been done by tho Government, Mr Massey said he was greatly impressed by the growth of tho industry, and, he fully realised tho possibilities of the future. Last year the exports had more than doubled, and he felt confident that they would be doubled again. Last session lie took the opportunity as Minister of Agriculture of' asking Parliament for a sum of £25,000 lor tho purpose of granting loans to fruit-growers’ associations who desired to make provision for cold storage. The amount was sanctioned, and although he had not yet actually received tho £25,000, from recent events in tho London money market he expected to receive it shortly, and those associations who required assistance would then >be able to come along to the State for loans, when he would do all in his power to help the industry. The limit on loans would be £3OOO. Continuing, the Prime Minister said that his experience from one end of the dominion to the other was that in pears and apples growers were able to produce the equal of anything in the world, not excepting those supplying the London market. Now that there was a good market the industry should go ahead by leaps and bounds, and he felt sure that when the -25,000 granted by Parliament had been spent judiciously and advantageously, a further sum would be granted for tho same purpose. In the afternoon, Mr Massey opened tho lona Presbyterian Girls’ College at Havelock North, a fine brick building situated on the Havelock Hills. The ltev James Patterson presided at the opening ceremony, and presented a gold key to the Prime Minister, and also gold, keys to Mr Hugh Campbell, of Breadalbane, and Mr Mason Chambers, of Tauroa, the two gentlemen who presented the twelve acres of land on which the college is built. Mr Massey, in a short congratulatory address to the promoters of the college, said he was sure the people of the dominion thoroughly appreciated tho benefit of education. The money which New Zealand devoted to education was well spent. In tho morning the Prime Minister was waited on by a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, who requested a subsidy towards the cost of bridging the Rangitikei River on the Napier-Taihape Road. Mr Massey promised to lay the request before tho Minister of Public Works.

The deputation also urged that the Government should set up a commission to inquire into the title of Native lands on the route of the East C?oast railway, and that these lands should be purchased before the line went through. Mr Massey replied that it was the policy of tho Government to acquire lands on the routes of new lines, and as much as possible would be purchased on the East Coast route. He would lay the request for a commission to inquire into Native titles before the Native Minister. The Prime Minister and the Hon F. M. B. Fisher are being entertained at a banquet by tho fruit-growers this evening.