H.—44.

A committee, consisting of one officer from each of theTDepartments of Agriculture, Customs, and Industries and Commerce, was recently set up to inquire into the position, particularly from the point of view of the necessity or otherwise of restricting imports. This committee's inquiries in relation to the immediate position, and in relation to the position that is likely to arise in late November and in December of this year, have just been completed, and a report has been submitted to the Government, and this is now under consideration. The question of producing and storing onions in New Zealand with a view to making them available over a longer period than has hitherto been the case is a matter for further investigation and research. As the Department of Agriculture has had considerable experience with cold storage of onions and has made preliminary investigations into the type of onions most suitable and conditions most favourable to storage, that Department is now preparing a report on the practicability of supplying a greater proportion of our requirements from locally grown onions, and outlining the experimental work necessary (if any) before storage can be undertaken on an extensive scale. When this report, which will be in the nature of a long-range plan so far as onion-supplies are concerned, is to hand it should have a bearing on the details of any policy which the Government might wish to adopt to protect local producers. CITRUS-FRUIT INDUSTRY. During the year investigations into the resources of the Kerikeri district in relation to the erection of a curing and packing shed and the organization of the marketing of the citrus fruits produced from that district were completed, and, as a result, the Government has promised substantial assistance to the Kerikeri citrus-fruit growers. It had been hoped to have a new shed built and the machinery installed in time to treat the first of the coming season's fruit, but owing to unexpected difficulties it is now evident that this object cannot be achieved. Every effort, however, is being made to have the grading and curing plant working at the earliest possible date. In conjunction with the Departments of Scientific and Industrial Research and Agriculture soil surveys in various regions have been made with a view to determining the most suitable areas for the establishment of further orchards of citrus trees, especially with the object of supplying the South Island markets, as freight charges from the present orchards are a serious obstacle in the way of meeting the southern demand. Each year more trees are coming into bearing, and there is every indication that a valuable industry is being built up, one that will offer congenial occupation and assist in supplying that fruit which is most necessary to the- good health of the community. INVESTIGATION INTO THE MARKETING AND HANDLING OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. In response to representations from various sections of the fruit industry, and following the recommendations of the parliamentary Committee which investigated this question in 1930, the Minister of Industries and Commerce has set up a special Committee of inquiry to make a complete survey of the marketing and handling of fruit and vegetables in the Dominion, with a view to improving the existing methods of sale and distribution. The Committee is comprised of an independent Chairman, Mr. Alfred Coleman, and an officer of each of the Departments of Industries and Commerce and Agriculture, The order of reference of the Committee is a very wide one, and embraces all phases of the marketing and distribution of New-Zealand-grown and imported fruit and vegetables. The methods of packing, grading, standardization, transport to markets and cool storage will be reviewed, also such matters as cool storage and the methods of selling and displaying products in wholesale and auction marts and retail shops. The costs of distribution will also be dealt with by the Committee. In addition, a special investigation will be made into the hop industry in the Nelson Province. Other phases of the inquiry relate to the small-fruits industry in Nelson and the marketing of New Zealand citrus fruits and their products. Evidence is now being taken in the four main centres and the fruitgrowing areas of Otago Central, Nelson, Hawke's Bay, Auckland, Tauranga, and Kerikeri. RAROTONGAN FRUIT INQUIRY. In response to petitions presented to Parliament early this year by the fruitgrowers of Rarotonga, the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House was instructed to make a complete investigation into the marketing and handling of Island fruit. Although differing in detail the two petitions were in effect practically the same, and aimed at a complete reorganization of the fruitgrowing industry of the Islands. In support of the petitions delegations of Island growers came to New Zealand and gave evidence before the Committee. In addition, a large number of witnesses representing the trading firms at the Islands, fruit-merchants, auctioneers, retailers, and other interests attended the sitting and submitted their views on the various aspects of the trade. Before completing the inquiry the Committee considered that further investigations should be made in Rarotonga, as it was felt that certain phases of the problem could only be dealt with on the spot. It was accordingly decided to send a special parliamentary delegation to the Islands. This delegation left for Rarotonga in the early part of July, and will report to the Industries and Commerce Committee on its return about the middle of August, when the Committee will deliberate further on this question.

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