PASSION FRUIT CULTURE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 50, 29 January 1932, Page 2

PASSION FRUIT CULTURE.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —I was delighted to rend Mr John Nairn’s remarks in reference to this ihdustry. Mr Naim is a gentleman held in the highest regard by our citizens and his comments are timely. I do not profess to have any knowledge of growing passion fruit, but the information m my possession is such that I have not ceased in my endeavours to get the Government through the Unemployment Board to take it up. 1. I am informed that in North Auckland growers can obtain two crops per year. 2. —That the vines, trained on wire fences, with proper care are productive in 9 to 12 months.

3. —That the demand for passion fruit juice is practically unlimited. 4. —That to augment the supply passion fruit has been imported from Australia.

s.—That the juice from New Zealand (under vacuum) has been sold for some time in England. What I adyocated in Parliament was to settle a large number of the unemployed in North Auckland on small areas of land, provide them with a small house, also the necessary vines, let them work on their own holdings, and pay them the relief wages as at present. It would not be long before they would be independent of Government assistance and begin to make payments off their respective fruit farms. One factory .has been established at Auckland, dealing-not only with passion, but all kinds of fruit, the juice being shipped Home. ‘Recently, an American representative of a large fruit packing company was in New Zealand and wanted to contract for 1000 gallons off passion truit juice per month, but the order could not be accepted as the supply is not available. 1 understand that 2sd to 3d per lb. is paid for the fruit, and juice packed under vacuum is guaranteed to contain no preservative whatever. This is surely going to place our country in the forerank as far as fruit juice is concerned. I realise that this is not going to solve the unemployment question, but at a time like this any proposal, however small, helps. Mr Nairn’s expert ■ knowledge and advice will, I feel sure, be appreciated. Since my .previous statement appeared in your journal, I .have had letters from' all aver New Zealand asking for information.—Yours, etc.,' ' J. A. NASH, M.P.