NEW ZEALAND LEMONS

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND LEMONS

" A NAME SECOND TO NONE "

Recently some disparaging remarks about New Zealand lemons were made in Parliament by Mr I). G. Sullivan, M.P. (says the Auckland ‘Herald'). He claimed that the dominion article was very inferior, and urged the free importation of lemons. A message from Dunedin published last Monday stated that fruitgrowers of Otago had telegraphed to. the Minister asking that the embargo bo removed from Californian lemons, and urging that duty be not increased, “ as New Zea-land-grown lemons cannot compare with those from foreign countries.” The Auckland Fruitgrowers’ Conned has made inquiries on this subject, which show that it was a morning or fruit dealers (not growers) who passed the resolution mentioned. '.Further, tlic Fruitgrowers’ Council claims that the choicest Now Zealand lemons are oi|ual to the best selected _ anywhere. Obviously, says tho council, it is unfair to compare tho second grade local fruit with the finest imported, hut for grade and keeping qualities of tho best New Zealand has secured a name .second to none. On the subject of protective duty, the council says there are hundreus oi acres of young lemons just coming into hearing, which, if protected, will in a short time produce all tho lemons that tho dominion can absorb and provide for export. Another point explained js that the organised growers are prepared to stand behind tho quality of their lemons if the retailers will accept their conditions of sale, which would indemnify them from loss by decay. The council has placed its views before the Minister, and, if necessary, it is prepared to furnish evidence as to the supply and quality of tho New Zealand product.