INFERIOR QUALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 138, 14 June 1938, Page 8

INFERIOR QUALITY.

RAROTONGA ORANGES.

TRADE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.

STATEMENT BY MERCHANTS,

The inferior quality of the Rarotongaii oranges supplied to Auckland has Beriously affected the wholesale and retail trade, according to a statement issued this morning by Mr. E. H. Townsend, secretary of the Auckland Fruit and Produce Auctioneers and Wholesalers' Association. 'JV-ie association had made no statement regarding the position till the point was raised yesterday by jj r F. It. Picot, director of Internal Marketing.

Merchants were disappointed, said Mr. Townsend, that so small a proportion of Mangaia oranges and such an abnormally large quantity of tlio Rarotongan fruit had been allotted by the Government to the Auckland market. Before the Marketing Department took control of the orange trade Auckland received all the Mangaia fruit. The local merchants, through their Island representatives, were responsible for the packing methods and the quality of the fruit on arrival.

The members of the association were surprised at the statement of Sir. H. G. Stalcy, secretary of the New Zealand European Fruiterers' Association, regarding the allocation of the Island fruit. The merchants had no information as lo the destination of the Mangaia oranges such as he appeared to possess.

The state of the market has been improved by the release of the first Australian navel oranges of the season, which were offered 011 the market today. If supplies of these fruit continue to arrive, stated Mr. Townsend, the public is assured of a supply of good, quality fruit. Retailers Dissatisfied. "Of the 0000 cases of Mangaia oranges brought, by the Matua, the general impression was that Auckland would receive 40 per cent, or about 2400 cases," said Mr. S. Coleman, in advancing the position of the local retailer. "Actually, this morning only 1000 cases were allowed —that is the supply for two weeks —and anyone who tried to obtain supplies after 9.30 a.m .found that nons was left. Others who placed orders earlier had them substantially reduced."

The contention was that the remainder of the fruit must have been transported south. Mr. Coleman instanced the position of three fruiterers in business in a fair way who between tliem. had received only four cases. While there were supplies of Australian oranges obtainable, many customers expressed a preference for Mangaia fruit, which were the best of the island types.