ORANGES LIKELY TO BE SCARCE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23445, 27 September 1941, Page 3

ORANGES LIKELY TO BE SCARCE

MARKET RELYING ON AUSTRALIA DIFFICULTIES EXPLAINED BY MINISTER (P.R.) WELLINGTON, September 26. Factors making it unlikely that full supplies of oranges will be available to the public at all times and at all places in the Dominion during the next six weeks were outlined to-day by the Minister for Marketing (the Hon. J. G. Barclay). The season for Island oranges was over and until March next, the New Zealand market would be entirely dependent upon Australian supplies, he said. This reliance upon Australian oranges to meet the Dominion’s requirements was accompanied by certain inevitable disadvantages, Mr Barclay added. In the first place, the present available means of transport from Australia, due to the war situation, was more unfavourable -than in the past and second, the restriction of unloading points necessitated the transfer of fruit within the Dominion over long distances, with a consequent difficulty in maintaining the condition of the fruit, and with higher distribution costs. Furthermore, the elimination of the Jamaican market for the last two seasons, again brought about by war conditions, was a further obstacle in the way of securing adequate supplies. “The Internal Marketing Division will, however, as far as it is humanly possible, endeavour to ensure that available supplies are spread as equitably as possible throughout the Dominion,” the Minister added.