FRUIT EMBARGO

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 25

FRUIT EMBARGO

BALANCE OF TRADE

"A VERY WIDE QUESTION"

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, March 5,

"The deputation opened up a very wide question-when it referred to the embargo on Australian fruit," said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), when replying to a deputation of Invercargill fruiterers. '■;

"The question of the importation of citrus fruit from Australians wrapped up with.the whole question "of the trade relationship -between the two countries," said the Minister. "Oranges and potatoes have .certainly played a big part in the negotiations which have taken place between the two countries in the past, and-those issues are still very live ones." , •./■■.

He had had private discussions with prominent Australians, including representatives of.- that' Government who had visited New Zealand, he said, and in: each case the Australians had readily "admitted that New Zealand' had a great deal. to support its' claim for- a more balanced trade between the two, countries.

present trade balance is very much in Australia's favour, and the wiping out of the embargo on Australian oranges . will not improve that position,"- said Mr. Sullivan. The whole question of the trade agreement would, he hoped, be the subject of negotiation between : the. two countries at an early, date. ' Meantime, the present Government of New Zealand realised that the. people were entitled to obtain a greater -. supply of oranges than they had done: in past years. It was for this" reason'that very .greatlyincreased quantities •of oranges had been permitted to enter New Zealand from Australia this year. Indeed, importations from Australia were- far greater last year than they had been for any year during the. last seven years. ;• . '.':.. - , . ~-,■'.. .'..;■ ~' Another, point which the . Minister was giving special consideration to was." .the supply of citrus fruit to the South Island, which he recognised had been somewhat neglected in the past. Increased quantities had been sent to Dunedin and Invercargill during the past season, and their requirements would receive further consideration next" season.