connexion with that particular industry, that at all events it would 

 have increased in exports. The figures were : — In 1890 we ex- 

 ported 1,900,000 lbs.; in 1891, 1,350,000 lbs.; and in 1892, 

 1,400,000 lbs. Bottled fruits:— In 1890, 223,000 dozen; in 1891, 

 101,000 dozen. These fell in 1892 to 44,000 dozen; in 1893 to 

 33,000 dozen. Those figures showed that so far as the fruit in- 

 dustry of this colony is concerned, from which so much was 

 expected, it had rather decreased than increased as to the output. 

 As to imports, although it might be said in regard to his state- 

 ment that we were supplying our own wants to a very great extent, 

 which showed an improvement had taken place, unfortunately, if 

 we took the reduction of imports all round he was afraid that 

 there would not be so much reason to be satisfied. To put it in 

 round numbers:— J'resh fruit in 1890, we imported 17,000,000 lbs.; 

 in 1891, 13,000,000 lbs.; in 1892, 17,000,000 lbs.; and in 

 1893, 14,000,000 lbs. So that our imports, taking the general 

 falling ofi", and the effect of the depression, were about on an 

 equality to what they were three years ago. In dry fruit 

 we imported in 1890, 8,000,000 lbs.; in 1891, 6,000,000 lbs.; in 



1892, 7,000,000 lbs.; and in 1893, 5,000,000 lbs. In making the 

 comparison, the result must be put down not so much to the in- 

 crease of our own products, but to the general effect of the de- 

 pression. Bottled fruit again showed about the same proportion : 

 —1890, 6,000 dozen ; 1891, 10,000 dozen ; 1892, 10,000 dozen ; 



1893, 4,000 dozen. It was to be regretted that the fruit industry 

 of this colony, taking into consideration the assistance afforded it, 

 had not made more rapid strides than those figures indicated. 

 They might ask what was the cause ? Had they planted the 

 proper kinds of fruits ; were they treating them properly ; were 

 the methods of transit by rail and sea as good and as cheap as 

 they ought to be ; had they the best market, or had they sent to 

 the best market ; or were their goods packed in the best manner 

 and placed before the British consumer in the most attractive 

 form ? These questions were worthy of consideration. ' Then, 

 again, it might be asked, was it because our circumstances here 

 might be regarded as unfavorable as compared . with those, of 

 competing countries ? Take the Americans for instance. Could 

 we compete with them, or were they too favorably situated 

 for us to do so ? Could we, unless our conditions were altered, 

 progress and compete in this industry ? Then there was the 

 labour conditions, the transit by sea and land, and other issues 

 that were too large to go into to-day. His own opinion was that, 

 having regard to our climate and the energy of our people, we 

 were quite in a position, if the industry got a fair chance, to com- 

 pete with any other part of the world, and if any means can be 

 suggested by which this industry can be galvanized into life, and 



