THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10561, 17 February 1912, Page 5

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

IN THE WAIRARAPA. AN INTERESTING REPORT. . The sub-commit tee appointed by -the Masterton Chamber or Commerce Ito report upon the question of comf mercial fruit-growing in the Wairarapa, submitted the following report at uie meeting of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce yesterday:— Climatic Conditions. Apples, pears, stone fruits and berries are grown in all parts of the Wairarapa, and compare favourably with the fruit grown in other parts of the Dominion. Wairarapa apples have been, exhibited in several centres and taken prizes for flavour, size and keeping qualities. The opinion of nurserymen and private growers qualified j to give an opinion is that so far as climate is concerned the Wairarapa. is particularly adapted to fruitI growing. High winds, frosts and or- ! chard pests are certainly not worse j here than in other parts where a. success is made of fruit growing, j Class of Fruit.— Districts where [ fruit growing for export is carried on j have been visited and growers have •been interviewed. Information and advice has been freely tendered, and | the concensus of opinion is that in | starting a new enterprise of this de- ; scription the safest course to adopt i& | to confine the undertaking to growing apples,. chiefly with a view to export to the London markets. " There' ,iis a never-failing market there for api pies of the right quality and condition at a payable price. Mote than ono • expert advised against starting the fruit-canning industry. . j Labour.— The labour question is one that has an important bearing on all commercial enterprises, and in connection with fruit growing for export, would have to be taken, into consideration. It is probably partly on that account that experts advised against the fruit canning industry, and the growing of . stone _ fruits for market. The apple trade is spread over a longer period, and by a system of mutual help amongst growers the difficulty can be met.

Land.— In close vicinity to- Masteuton tliere is land to be obtained that, will grow all kinds of fruit to perfection. The price is more reasonable than that of similar land in. districts where commercial fruifc growing is already established. The Commercial Side.— . Recently, in the Greytown district, a Fruitgrowers' Association has been established, pid a large area of land been and partly planted in fruit trees. The shareholders • liave every reaison to expect successful results. In Hawke's Bay, fruit growers' associatiojis haye been forimed on a ent basis. .There, in one fnstancd, ft large landowner laid off a suitable area of land, planted it with fruit trees, and when they had neared the bearing stage he sub-divided the land into small areas, {(nd sold the sections on easy .terms. It is possible some owner of land of sufficient areas in the Masterton district might follow this example. It should not be difficult to form a Company of Fruitgrowers to take ujp such sections if ihey were large enough to reside on— leased to them or sold outright, and the, working of the fruit farms, ~so far as financing, marketing and labour is concerned, miglit be done on co-operative .lines. ■ln conclusion, your Committee is of opinion that what is , being done •fn".other districts in -profitably, car ing oil commercial -fruitgrowing caa be started in Master ton with the prospect of such an undertaking proving a |uccess.".

The chairman stated that it had not been thought necessary to procure the services of Mr Jaques. Investigations made locally, "however, had •shown that the district was well adapted for fruit growing. It was hoped that some of the larger land-own-ers would, take the matter up. He moved the adaption of the report. Sir R. Brown seconded, and' asked if it was intended to pursue the subject.

Mr James Brown, as one of the Committee, stated .that the Committee had done its duty,, and now asked to be discharged. The resolution for the adoption of the report was carried. Mr G. H. Perry said it was a pity the Committee had not found a big landowner .to take the matter up.

IMr J. Brown stated that lie had 'been to Jfapior and investigated the •matter. .He was' t .advised that- :itwould be a mistake to go, in for canning: The labour trouble, too, would be against, the growing of stone fruits. He thought that by giving publicity to the matter something might be done. 'Mr- Donald Donald stated that the fruit growing industry was a big thing in Tasmania. Several steamers were sent Home with shipments of apples every year. He saw no reason why the industry should not be developed in New Zealand. He would not like to sec the matter allowed to drop. The chairman suggested that a. committee be appointed to see if suitable land could be acquired. 'Mil- G. H. Perry said it had been reported that the Upper Plain was admirably "adapted to fruit-grow-ing. * Mr J. Brown thought the Chamber might refer the matter to a Committee of the Council. '' j Mr W. B. .Chcnnells considered the committee had brought down a splendid report. He thought they were deserving of the thanks of the Chamber. It would be a pity now to ailow ; the matter to drop.

After further discussion, a committee consisting of Messrs Henderson, Brown, Donald, Cheimells and Perry were set up to further investigate the matter.

A vote of thanks was passed to the committee for its report.