DUTY ON LEMONS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 12, 8 October 1927, Page 15

DUTY ON LEMONS

STATEMENT BY GROWERS. Dominion Special Service. Auckland, October 7. Statements made in the House of Representatives on Thursday night to the effect that the price of Auckland lemons was immediately raised after the proposed tariff was known, are absolutely incorrect, according to the following statement by the Auckland growers which has been sent to Cabinet Ministers and others:— °Uur prices for the Citrus Association’s lemons for immediate delivery, forward delivery, and special arrangement with the retailers have not changed since the tariff was announced Our highest price for forward delivery is only half of the present landed cost of A’lneriCan lemons without any duty. If New Zealand depended upon* imported lemons for supplies, such high prices as rule at present would make lemons prohibitive to most people. On the other hand, dumping, such as that which occurred eighteen months ago, would kill the local industry unless a suitable duty was fixed. The production is increasing rapidly undoubtedly, and the New Zealand public’s interest will be protected by the helping of the local industry. The sole dependence on foreign supplies would leave a great opportunity for exploitation, whereas local grown lemons will of necessity be sold in New Zealand.

inquiries made at the Auckland? Hospital this morning, the manager states that he lias no knowledge of buying any imported lemons, as all the supplies arc purchased locallv. We can make more monev from imported lemons than local, but feel that the New Zealand growers are not getting a fair run from interested southern importers.”