S. AUSTRALIAN ORANGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 November 1934, Page 7

S. AUSTRALIAN ORANGES

REPLY TO RETAILERS. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, November 9. “If I could make known to the public all that is taking place, I feel sure that they would appreciate that what is being done is in the best interests of the consuming public, as well as of the whole of the trade,’ said Mr C. Mueller, the New Zealand representative of the Murray Citrus Growers’ Co-operative Association,

Australia, Ltd., when commenting on the boycott of Australian oranges.by 200 Wellington retailers, on the grounds that the quality is poor and the price excessive. “The position taken up,” said Mr Mueller, “is that the retailers must have the fruit as it lands, and let any surplus from the previous consignment continue to deteriorate in cold storage. If they conduct their businesses in this manner, no wonder they talk of their losses! I cannot countenance such a procedure with any growers of fruit. It is only exhibiting ignorance to say that our fruit deteriorates because it is held in New Zealand for two weeks in cold storage. The fruit that we send to England remains in the cooler for two months.” Mr Mueller characterised the alleged shortage of oranges in New Zealand as being all moonshine. He said: “During the season I have consistently made good the retailers’ legitimate losses. I have not permitted any variations in price and.the market has never been without oranges. What the retailer really wants, is difficult to understand.”