NEW ZEALAND ONION SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 256, 26 July 1937, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND ONION SHORTAGE

Shipments From Victoria EXHAUSTION OF DOMINION SUPPLIES Authority lias been given by the Government for the importation of onions from Victoria to relieve the shortage of supplies in New Zealand. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Lee Martin. explained on Saturday that the Government considered the quantity of Victorian onions required during the period of shortage between the virtual exhaustion of locally-grown onions and the arrival of shipments from the Nori horn Hemisphere would be approximately 1000 tons. Mr. Martin said that since making his statement on July 2. advising that importation of onions would be permitted for the period between September 15 and November 20, ib had been found that the position had become more acute on account of the poor keeping quality of New Zealand-grown onions, and the rapid diminution of stocks on hand, coupled with the lateness of the Canadian crop this season “In order to meet Wie situation and to provide the consumer with onions at a reasonable price,” said the Minister, “the Government has decided to issue u permit to the Victorian Onion Marketing Board to ship limited quantities as may be required, such shipments to bo equitably allocated among the recognised merchant distributors to supplement importations from Canada for which commitments have already been made by local merchants to whom consideration is being given in respect of such commitments. System of Allocation. “A system of allocation will tie adopted and merchants should apply to the New Zealand agent of the Victorian Onion Marketing Board. Messrs. Forrest Brown and Co., Auckland, stating their requirements of Vicborian onions for the period between the virtual, exhaustion of locally-grown onions and the arrival of shipments from the Northern Hemisphere; In the event of these applications totalling more than can reasonably be imported within the above-mentioned period, a pro rata allocation will be made by the agent of the Victorian Onion Marketing Board acting in conjunction with the Department, of Agriculture. The prices at which these onions will be quoted will be a stable ex wharf price over the whole period. The Government considers that the quantity of Victorian onions required during this period of shortage will - be appioxiniately 1000 tons. “It'is anticipated that the first delivery of Victorian onions will take place in Auckland about the middle of August, and supplies for Wellington and the South Island will be available about the beginning of September. Merchants are reminded that it is not permissible for them to import onions from the Northern Hemisphere on vessels arriving prior to September 15.”