GROWERS' PLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 174, 24 July 1936, Page 7

GROWERS' PLIGHT.

TRADE DISAPPEARS.

N.Z. Embargo on Norfolk Island

Fruit and Vegetables.

AUSTRALIA WANTS REMOVAL. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received'9.3o a.m.) CANBERRA, this day. The Federal Government intends shortly to revive with New Zealand the question of lifting the embargo on Norfolk Island fruit and vegetables in view of the misfortunes of the islanders, who suffered severely in the recent floods, and of the fact that the Commonwealth, by producing its own fruit and vegetables, cannot absorb the islanders' produce.

The Administrator of Norfolk Island reports that the loss of the New Zealand market has paralysed the fruit industry. Exports from the island to the Dominion, which were worth £8299 in 1931-32, have entirely disappeared. He points out that the Commonwealth provided the islanders with compensation in 1934-35, chiefly in the form of unemployed relief amounting to £5000, while this year the Commonwealth is advancing flood relief compensation, the first portion of which, £2000, has been already advanced.

The ban mentioned is not specifically against Norfolk Island products, but against those of the whole of Australia, by reason of fruit fly. Last year the New Zealand Government was persuaded to allow one shipment of 6weet oranges, valued roughly at £1000, to be imported to the Dominion, but indications this year are that there are not sufficient oranges on the island to warrant a visit by a steamer. Norfolk Island potatoes, beans, etc., which are of the early variety, compete with Pukekohe products. Bananas, which are under a separate quota regulation imposed from Wellington, were at one time the island's chief source of revenue, Australia taking large quantities until she grew sufficient of her own in Queensland. Norfolk Island is part of Australian territory.

BANNED EXPLOSIVES

EVEN FIREWORKS INCLUDED

CANBERRA, July 23.

With the object of fostering the manufacture of explosives in Australia the Federal Ministry, by a Customs regulation, has stopped importation of all forms of explosives, including fireworks. Sir Henry Gullett, Minister in Charge of Trade Treaties, says Australia's requirements already are mostly being manufactured locally, although in 1934-35 America supplied £20,000 worth.

TRADE DISPUTE.

AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN.

MELBOURNE, July 23

The Federal Cabinet to-day considered the question of a resumption of trade negotiations with Japan. However, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, subsequently indicated that no announcement would be made for some weeks. The. Commonwealth Government, said Mr. Lyons, was not likely to depart from the principles of its new trade policy.

It is officially announced that owing to the serious effect of Australia's tariff restrictions on the trade between Australia and Japan, the Osaka Shosen Kaisha Line has decided to abandon for the time being its plans to run a direct service between Japan and New Zealand. The company's freighters, however, will continue to call at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and then cross to New Zealand .ports and return to Sydney.