CITRUS FRUITS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 162, 5 April 1938, Page 14

CITRUS FRUITS

N.S.W. Exports To Dominion Mr. J. E. Thomas, officer in charge of the fruit section of the New Zealand Primary Products Marketing Department, who is in Australia investigating citrus problems in relation to the new trade treaty between the Dominion and the Commonwealth, has been' studying the position in the central coast district, says the “Sydney Morning Herald.” He stated that, while the prohibition against fruit grown in fly-infested areas would remain in operation, he would place before the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture the acceptance of central coast fruit up |o September, when it,was considered fly-free. . Mr. Thomas said that the question ot an increase of 25 per cent, export to New Zealand would depend upon the price at which New South Wales fruit could be purchased. New Zealand had been buying "from South Australia, the Cook Islands, California, Jamaica, and. occasionally, from Fiji and Japan. Most of that fruit arrived at times which did conflict with New South Wales produce. New Zealand’s own citrus was not a big factor. There was a very kindly feeling in New Zealand toward Australia. Mr. A. S. Brown (president of the Central Coast Citrus Council) said that the New Zealand Primary Products Marketing Department would control citrus imports from Australia, either buying on a straight-out price or receiving fruit and distributing it to agents to be sold on commission. If the department purchased direct, it would be able to get quotations and a weekly supply of fresh fruit, which New Zealand had not had since the embargo. He was hopeful that some relaxation would be permitted in regard to mandarins from the central coast.