POSITION EASIER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 10

POSITION EASIER

BIG SHIPMENTS NEXT MONTH

Supplies of oranges that have come to hand from different sources have relieved the shortage in Wellington during the last few days, and it is anticipated that next month the supply will be sufficient to meet the demand.

A shipment of Jamaican oranges arrived in Auckland at the end of last week, and the consignments railed to Wellington merchants have been selling here this week at from 22s 6d to 50s a case, according to size and condition, a merchant informed a "Post" reporter today. These prices are a little dearer than normal, though this fruit carried a freight charge of 3s a case from Auckland. In addition to these, 500 cases of Pitcairn Island oranges were put on the market, and brought from 17s to 20s a case. They were in green condition. The Matua arrived also with about 2000 cases of Fijian oranges and mandarins for distribution in Wellington and Auckland.

The arrival of the Cook Island oranges at the end of next month will overcome whatever shortage might exist then. It is estimated that during the last week in May and the first week in June shipments totalling some 20,000 cases will arrive on the New Zealand markets from this source. These are shipped and marketed under Government control, being distributed through recognised wholesale channels in the main centres. The price is fixed on the day the fruit arrives in New Zealand, according to the condition of the oranges and general market conditions prevailing.

Besides the Cook Island supplies, a shipment of some 4000 cases of Californian oranges are due to reach the Dominion for general distribution about the midle of May.