AUSTRALIAN ORANGES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN ORANGES

10 TH« MDtTOR OF THE PRB33. Sir,—l had hoped that I would not need to reply further to letters in "The Press" on conditions governing supplies of oranges, but the latest outburst of Mr G. Kirby calls for reply. When Mr Kirby called on me I had no desire to hurt his feelings; but as he has thought fit to become to personal, I regret I must state the facts. ■When the embargo was released on South Australia, naturally some method of supply of the limited quantities had to be adopted, and as the method was left in my hands I decided to supply all merchants or importers who could prove to me that they had imported citrus fruits from anywhere in Australia during five years before the embargo. Mr Kirby is confusing condition with quality The quality was quite as usual on the last shipment. The condition through a set of circumstances over which the grower unfortunately has no control, was variable: so much so that I decided all fruit was to be repacked before sale ; except where the retailer elected to accept a lower price and take the risk of his purchase. The result is that the growers will not receive costs for their fruit landed in Christchurch. 25 per cent, being lost in repacking and costs of the work Mr Kirby expresses his bitterness as a result of his own shortcomings and exhibits :i lamentable lack of knowledge of to-day's methods of business. New Zealand has trade representatives wherever business is possible, just as Australia and every other country has: and if there are industries in which they have not such representatives, the sooner such policy is adopted the "Better for the industries concerned. The New Zealand Government has no interest in my appointment nor Is it likely to adopt Mr Kirby's impertinence in suggesting that my growers should appoint its nominee My duty is to create goodwill between my growers and those to whom we entrust the sale of fruft, and if Mr Kirby has not received a supply of our fruit he should search himself and ask if his methods are not those of 30 years ago.

The matter of counts quoted by Mr Kirby is rubbish. New Zealand gets the fruit as it comes from the grove, no particular count being reserved for this market. His statement of threepence a dozen is on a par with his claim for agency consideration because he did business 25 years ago 1934" calls for 1934 methods. With reference to Mr Kirby's request that his Worship the Mayo, or maybe a member of Parliament for this district be asked to make enctuiries. I would be pleased to supply them with any reasons for my actions, and all these who have already sought information have agreed that in the circumstances of controversy with Australia, particularly on the matter of the various embargoes, all possible is being reasonably done in the interests of New Zealanders, although Mr Kirby might not tihink so; but as he has not handled any consignment for many years, why he should warn the other fellow's business, perhaps he can best state.— Y6urs, etc., C. MUELLER, Representative Murray Citrus Growers' Co-op. Assb. (Aus.), Ltd. October 8, 1934.