IMPORTS OF ORANGES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 201, 22 May 1936, Page 13

IMPORTS OF ORANGES

Some Dissatisfaction in the South QUOTA INSUFFICIENT By '.relegrapli—Press Assoeiatiui:. Invercargill, May 21. "We are pleased to know that some slocks are coming, but we are by no means satisfied with Ihe quantities that will be available.” That was the opinion of men in the wholesale fruit business concerning Hie announcement made by the Minister of Customs that the Government had decided to relax the embargo against Australian citrus fruit by granting permission for Hie export to New Zealand during June, July and August of a total quantity of 50,0ut) eases of South Australian oranges. Probably two-thirds of that quantity would go to Hie North Island, it was said, and the result would be that when the distribution was completed Southland's share would be smaller than the allocation for the same period last year. ■‘Oranges should come under ihe heading of necessaries in New Zealand,” one man said. "They should not be considered a luxury food. Vet it would seem that past and present Governments have found it desirable to impose rigid restrictions on tlie admission and distribution of this class of fruit. In view of the available sources of supply and the need of ample quantities for consumption ibis altitude seems inexplicable.” It was believed that the Government Intended to restrict the importation of Australian oranges in order to foster the Cook Island trade. DUNEDIN OPINION By 'l'eiegrapli.—Press Association. Dunedin, Jlay 21. "It. is very gratifying to note that the Government lias honoured the promise of lite Prime Minister given to a deputation of retail fruiterers in February, when Mr. Savage said the Government would see to it that the people of the Dominion had an ample supply of citrus fruits.” said Mr. Newall, secretary of the South Island Retail Fruiterers’ Federation, in discussing tlie importation of oranges. Mr. Newall said there was a distinct shortage of oranges in Dunedin at the present time. Wholesale merchants who imported Jamaican and American oranges had evidently cut down their orders pending a. decision from the Government ou Ibe Australian embargo, and oranges would consequently be in short supply until July. With reference to the allocation of 50,000 cases of South Australian oranges for New Zealand for June, July and August, it was pleasing to observe that the Government had not .made this a hard-ar-d-fast decree and that; consideration would be given to an increasing quantity should it: be found that, the Cook Island oranges do not reach the quantities' expeefed.