WHERE ARE THE LEMONS?

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 129, 2 June 1945, Page 6

WHERE ARE THE LEMONS?

Sir, —In answer to your correspondent "C.D.'s" inquiry regarding lemons. I would point out to him that New Zealand lias never been self-sufficient in lemon supplies or other citrus fruits. In pre-war days, we were able to meet Hi is deficiency from the Northern Hemisphere—from California and Jamaica—but war shipping difficulties have eliminated these sources altogether. Australia, whose production season closely corresponds with our own. has * generously shared her meagre supplies with us, and a recent shipment, of ■ Australian lemons has been distributed in the South Island. The Internal Marketing Division distributes New Zealand's commercial production from the areas of Kenkeri, Auckland, and Tauranga in equal proportions over the towns of New Zealand from whence it is distributed as equitably as possible to the fruit retailers in those towns, thus ensuring that even with a totally inadequate supply, consumers can get, as "CD." says, one or more lemons occasionally during the very short period. If some such controlled distribution was not made, people in the districts furthest away from lemon-producing areas would not receive any at all. It is interesting to remember that Australia is juicing 50 per cent, of its total lemon production for juice tor the Allied Forces serving in the Pacific, which prevents our receiving from her anything other than small quantities. -I am, etc., R _ p FRASER< Acting Director, Internal Marketing Division.