ORANGES FOR THE DOMINION

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24280, 10 June 1944, Page 4

ORANGES FOR THE DOMINION

—• — AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENT EXPECTED SOON

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. June 9. The first shipment of Australian oranges this season is due to arrive in New Zealand this month. Making this announcement to-day. the ActingDirector of the Internal Marketing Division, Mr R. P, Fraser, said that though the quantities available from Australia under arrangements made by the division were not all that could be consumed, they represented a very reasonable proportion of the Australian crop.

In normal shipping conditions New Zealand obtained orange supplies from both the northern and the southern hemispheres, but at present it was restricted to the Pacific Islands and Australia. The Australian Government had been using the major portion of the crop for juice manufacture to meet military needs in the Commonwealth and the Pacific, Last year 25 per cent, of the main orange crop (Navels and Valencias) had been juiced, in addition to all subsidiary orange crops, 25 per cent, of the lemon crops, and all the grape fruit crops. It had not been passible to buy grapefruit in Australia.

The same proportions would be juiced this year. The quantities to be obtained by New Zealand were expected to be at least as good as last year, and shipments would be made to both the North and South Islands, In common with Cook Island oranges and New Zealand lemons, Australian oranges would be sold retail by weight.