CITRUS FRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 84, 9 April 1940, Page 4

CITRUS FRUITS.

SUPPLIES IN DOMINION.

MR. NASH REPLIES TO CRITICISM.

In an interview to-day the Hon. Walter Nash, .Minister of Marketing, referred to a sub-leader appearing in the "Auckland Star" on March 26 which criticised the Government control of the marketing of oranges and lemons. This criticism, while admitting the benefit to the. grower of a lixed price system, states that there is no inducement for growers to maintain quality. The critic says:— "On the credit side of the ledger the grower gets a fixed price, but which offers no inducement to the expert or the adventurous and reduces returns to a dead level in which quality has no share . . . Lemon growing, once a work of art, is now rule of thumb. The same price will be paid no matter what care is put into the task."

These statements, the Minister said, were not in accordance with fact. He pointed out that the grower is paid differential juices in accordance with the actual grades of fruit produced and the grading regulations are strictly enforced. Higher grading fruit is rewarded with higher prices and conversely. Unless quality is maintained tho grower losee immediately, and is also likely to lose through reduced lixed prices in subsequent years.

In referring to oranges, criticism is made concerning periodic shortages and there is a special reference to the recent shortage of oranges. "A full explanation of this was given by me, at the time," said Sir. Nash, "and it should have been well known to the newspaper writer that the. shortage was due entirely to shipping difficulties inseparable from war conditions."

In making further reference to Government control the critic states that higher price* have prevailed ever since the monopoly began. It may be true that the price of oranges to-day is higher than the Government would like to see, but had not Government control prevailed the price would have been higher still.

The cost of oranges in the producing countries is now higher than previously and freight rates have also increased.

As a final attack upon the Government control of citrus fruits the newspaper states: "If the monopoly is to continue someone who knows a little about the business should be given charge.". The Minister considered this is a totally unwarranted reflection upou public officers who arc handling a difficult and complicated task, and added that these officers are experts in the handling of citrus ftaite and were brought into the public service from private enterprise to supervise the Government's operations with these products.

Mr. Nash's statement is referred to in our editorial columns.