APPLE SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1940, Page 7

APPLE SEASON

THE MARKET PROSPECTS

CEREMONY IN LONDON

LONDON, May 17.

Mrs. Anthony Eden officially declared open New Zealand's, apple-selling- season in Britain. The annual function was held "as usual" because, in. the words of Mr. H. Turner, London mana^ ger of the New Zealand Fruit Sales Division, "we. have got our chins up, and they are going to stay up." Mrs. Eden was presented with a basket of apples. : . -

As Dominion Secretary, a post which he had recently exchanged for that of War Secretary, one of Mr. Eden's many kindnesses, said , Mr. W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner, was to arrange, in consultation with the Ministry of Shipping, for the export of the Dominion's apples to Britain. -It had seemed, at one time, very difficult owing to shipping shortage and because Britain's purchases of New Zealand produce did not include apples. The Dominion was, therefore, very grateful for what Mr. Eden had done.

The quantity of apples New Zealand will send to this country will not be far short of last year's, Mr. Turner said. It was recognised that freights for other produce must be provided for in order of preference, and this had been given to the Dominion's > other produce. They were taking their chance with shipping, and against the adverse circumstances of the market in this country on their own responsibility. It was, after; all, part of the economic warfare. i

. Discussing the market outlook, Mr. Turner: said that sales would undoubtedly be affected by the war ; situation. The supply of.apples to Britain from all sources was much reduced, and, from that point of view, demand would be greater and the price firmer. Much, however, depended upon the progress of the war, arid the spirit of the people. If they were depressed by reverses, sales might fall; on the other hand, encouraging news would have the opposite effect.