CCXXXvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTITRAL SOCIETY. 



Institute on "Fruit as a Factor in Colonial Connnerce." In that 

 Paper I reviewed the situation at that time ; and I wish I could place 

 before you the changes which have taken place since. But I am 

 delighted to find that the Eoyal Horticultural Society is taking so 

 active a part in bringing the fruit industry of the overseas Colonies 

 before the people of this country. This Society is doing a very fine 

 piece of Imperial work. I heard a gentleman, when on a short visit 

 to this country from the West Indies, say that this Society was incur- 

 ring considerable expense in connexion with these fruit shows ; and I 

 am glad to find that the Society, as a result of its interest in these 

 fruit shows, is getting a continually increasing number of Fellows, and: 

 becoming year by year more prosperous. I think it would be impos- 

 sible for me to propose this toast without a reference to the valuable 

 work being done by the Eoyal Horticultural Society in encouraging 

 these fruit shows and bringing them to the notice of the people of this 

 country : they are doing a great deal in that way to develop the pros- 

 perity of the overseas Dominions. I have been assured by the Agent- 

 General of British Columbia that the fact that this Society has so 

 often given opportunities for showing the magnificent products of that 

 country has resulted in his being asked many questions about British 

 Columbia, with the result that a large number of people are going 

 out there to settle as permanent Colonists. That is another benefit 

 arising out of these fruit shows. 



I would also echo what was mentioned by Sir Trevor Lawrence 

 with regard to the splendid work done by the late Sir Alfred Jones 

 in developing the banana industry, which has now assumed enormous 

 proportions. In 1887 only a few bananas came to this country, and 

 even they came from the Canary Islands; but at the present time, of 

 the total amount of bananas which comes to this country, by far the 

 greater proportion comes from our own Colonial possessions. 



With this toast I have the pleasure of associating the names of 

 the Hon. Price Elhson, the Minister of Finance for British Columbia, 

 and the Hon. H. J. Turner, the Agent-General for British Columbia. 

 On the last occasion Mr. Turner was unable through ill-health to be 

 present ; and we congratulate him and ourselves on his presence to-day, 

 and accord him a vary hearty welcome for the thorough 'manner 

 in w^iich he supports the Society's efforts with regard to the exhibits 

 from British Columbia. 



The Hon. Peice Ellison, Minister of Finance, British Columbia : 

 Gentlemen, — It gives me very great pleasure indeed to be here to-day 

 at one of the greatest meetings of horticulturists in the world. I have 

 often heard of this great Society and of the good work it has done. 

 I understand from the Hon. H. J. Turner that some years ago, when 

 he was Premier of British Columbia, he took a very active part indeed 

 in bringing to the notice of horticulturists that the Colonies ought to 

 exhibit. That is very important, and it has been more important to 

 British Columbia than to any other North American Colony. For six 

 years in succession British Columbia has captured the highest award 



