FRUIT EMBARGO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 230, 28 September 1936, Page 8

FRUIT EMBARGO.

ATTITUDE OF N.S.W. COMMENT BY PREMIER. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE, "I am well aware that there have been many conferences and discussions and that there have been difficulties in the way of arriving at a settlement of the fruit trade problem, but I feel that in expressing the hope that the trade will pick up again quickly I am voicing the sentiments not only of the people of this country but also my own people," said Mr. B. S. Stevens, Premier of New South Wales, in-commenting this morning on the fruit embargo against New South Wales. *" "I am sorry that the embargo against the importation of fruit from New South Wales remains in force," he said. "I am advised that oranges and mandarins of excellent quality are being retailed in Sydney this season at prices low enough to put these fruits within the purchasing capacity of all sections of the community,. and surplus supplies are available which could be shipped to New Zealand markets. Prices are such as would enable oranges to be retailed in New Zealand at round about 1/ to 1/0 per dozen, and mandarins at from Od to 1/ per dozen, according to sizes. "These citrus fruits are a very necessary item in the dietary, and so much has been done in this country to impress upon the people the advantages to be gained from a health point of view as to leave little for me to say. New Zealand is noted for its low infantile death rate and the Dominion owes much to the teachings of such men as the late Dr. Truby King, who" stressed for so long the virtues of citrus fruits for children as "well as adults." New' South Wales produced over 60 per cent of Australia's oranges and over 80 per cent of its mandarins, said Mr. Stevens. The acreage planted in these fruits in New South 'Wales totalled 29,068, and, due to the large production and to the fact that Sydney was the main point Of departure for Australian shipping bound for New Zealand, it became obvious . that these products could toe supplied at a considerably lower rate than from other sources. "The existing embargo against New South Wales fruits prevents the New Zealand consumer from obtaining cheap navel oranges during the months of June to September," concluded. Mr. Stevens. "With the exception of a few cases from South Australia, mandarins are unobtainable, while in the case of the warmer months from September to March, instead of cheap Valencia oranges of excellent quality from Ne\» South Wale 3 the only oranges available to New Zealanders are high priced South Australian navels in * September and October, and imported oranges from the West Indies and the United States of America from November to March, also at high values."