ORANGE IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 192, 11 May 1937, Page 8

ORANGE IMPORTS

Increased Quantities For Dominion GOVERNMENT ACTION Shipments From South Australia Arrangements for the importation of increased quantities of oranges into New Zealand were announced last evening by the Acting-Minister of Customs, Hon. Mark Fagan. As a commencement 180,000 export cases of South Australian oranges are to be imported between May and November next. This quantity, together with the minimum quantities expected from the Cook Islands (90,000), will be equivalent to the average annual importations from all sources during the past eight years. Mr. Fagan stated that if this increased quantity was inadequate, or the price to the consumer was unreasonable, steps would be. taken further to increase the supply and the question of price would also receive attention from the Government.

“With regard to the availability of citrus fruit in the Dominion, the Government lias been considering the best means to adopt in order to ensure that an adequate supply of oranges may lie available to the community,” said Mr. Fagan. “Whatever quantity of oranges is required to meet the necessities of the people will be imported into the Dominion. In the meantime, as a commencement, it has been decided after full investigation to bring in 180,000 export cases (approximately 270,000 bushels) of South Australian oranges during the period May to November next. This increased quantity is in conformity witli the recommendations of tlie Fruit Marketing Committee.

“It may be mentioned that the minimum quantities which it is expected will arrive from the Cook Islands, namely, 90,000 eases (135,000 bushels), and from South Australia during the ensuing six months, will be equivalent to the -average annual importations into tlie Dominion from all sources during the past eight years. Tlie quantity for six months is also equivalent bo almost 80 per cent, of the total importations from all sources during the 12 months ended December last. Details of Importations. “The following table shows the quantities imported into New Zealand during the years shown:—

"If it. is found cither that tills large-ly-increased quantity is inadequate, or that tlie price to tlie consumer is unreasonable,” added Mr. Fagan, “steps will be taken to still further increase tlie supply and the question of price will also receive the attention of tlie Government. “A large quantity of Cook Island oranges is <lue in tlie Dominion on May “It was anticipated that tlie Mariposa, which is due to arrive at Auckland from the United States of America on May 14, would bring between 3000 ami 4000 eases of oranges, but advice has now been received that the shipment will consist of 6250 cases of oranges. This shipment will help very materially in easing the immediate situation. Australian Season. “With respect: to tlie statements appearing in the Dress regarding oranges supplies from Australia, official advice was received on April 23 from the Commonwealth Government, through the Australian Trade Commissioner, that no oranges were available fo r export on the Australian market. The Commissioner .stated that the orange season in Australia did not really commence until June, uml oranges would not in any case be available for export until the middle of May. It will, of course, be obvious that the New Zealand Government cannot control the availability of oranges in the countries which supply our requirements. "With respect to tlie statement made that one Christchurch, firm and another in Auckland hold a monopoly of the importation and distribution of oranges from Jamaica, the position is, so far as the New Zealand Government is concerned, that it is open to any importer in the Dominion to import, fruit front that source without restriction as to quantity. Tlie Government in no way interferes ‘between the importers in New Zealand and the exporters in Jamaica. “With respect to statements that have been made to the effect that certain firms have a monopoly of shipping space, thus enabling them to control supplies of Jamaican oranges in that way, the Government has no control in tills matter, but is willing to make representations to the shipping companies with a view to assisting any legitimate importer. Regular Shipments. "It is expected that the first shipment of South Australian fruit will be available on Monday next, and these oranges will arrive iu the South Island, Bluff being the first port of discharge. Importations of South Australian oranges for both the South and North Islands will thereafter come to hand regularly until the close of the season. “In dealing with this matter, full regard has been paid to tlie public interest, and the Government will see to it tliat the Dominion’s requirements of oranges will be satisfactorily catered for,” concluded Mr. Fagan. "It lias been arranged that the Internal Marketing Department will give particular consideration to tlie question of supplies for country districts.”

Cases. Bushels 1029 .... 242,197 363,295 10.30 .... 278,846 4 IS,269 1931 .... 292,294 438,441 1932 .... 268,130 402,195 1933 .... 200,877 301,315 1934 .... 281.907 422.860 1935 .... 270,221' 405.331 1936 .... 325,535 488,302