N.Z. LEMONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 268, 11 November 1937, Page 10

N.Z. LEMONS.

REMOVAL OF EMBARGO

QUALITY DISCUSSED.

**AB GOOD A*

Dissatisfaction with the methods used for the marketing and sale of lemons had been expressed by South Island delegate* to the recent conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, said Mr. W. R. Fee, president of the Auckland Chamber, at a meeting to-day. The question arose when remits to the conference were under discussion.

"Competition from overseas in the citrua fruit industry is very keen, but it has been proved that lemons can be grown in the Dominion that are Just ae good aa those from overseas," said Mr. Fee. ."The trouble is that they are being marketed at once without' any attempt to cure them." - *■ , "California lemons do not have to be etwed because of the wonderfully dry climate there," remarked Mr. A. Ely. Mr. B. H. Kingston asked whether grower* in the Auckland province were not taking steps to improve marketing conditions. Perhaps the chamber was not giving the people handling the lemon industry credit for attempting to improve conditions. "We are not helping the industry by levelling criticism at it," said Mr. A. G. Loan. "There Iβ nothing from overseas that will beat the average run of New Zealand lemons, which have plenty of juice and a good vitamin content. It is our duty to help the growers, who have been struggling along trying to produce better fruit. The whole thing is for the Government to see that a fair supply of lemons is sent to the South at reasonable prices. The cttrue Industry should be fully and healthily conducted here, without imports . from overseas being found neeeNHary." Explaining the position after the meeting, Mr. Fee said that Southern delegates to the conference were much opposed to the embargo on lemons. In Tiniaru, where the conference had been heldr New Zealand- lemon* with very thick skins and only small quantities of Juice were produced, and were reported to be selling there at.six for 1/, while Callfornian lemons were being sold in the same town at five for 1/. The Californian lemons were thin skinned and contained plenty of juice. the South Island delegates held that, owing to the poor quality of New Zealand lemons, most of which came from the Auckland province, the embargo should be removed by the Government, but the Auckland delegates maintained that the Dominion was capable of producing fruit as good as any from overseas.

■' Mr. Fee added that he had seen Dominion lemons retailing at Iβ for 1/ in C'hristchurch. In Auckland it was possible to buy 30 for 1/.