AUSTRALIAN ORANGE NOT A SERIOUS COMPETITOR, BUT MAY BEAR FRUIT FLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22728, 28 August 1948, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN ORANGE NOT A SERIOUS COMPETITOR, BUT MAY BEAR FRUIT FLY

GISBORNE FRUIT PREFERRED

As the sweet orange season progresses, growers of quality fruitare finding' that they are not being embarrassed by the competition of the Australian fruit. It has been reported from several sources that consumers prefer the Gisborne-grown orange to the imported variety.

Evidence of this type will be reassuring to any growers with young trees who were at all dubious concerning the protection of their living in the face of competition from across the Tasman. Concentration on quality of fruit appears to be their answer. Apparently finding the quality of the imported fruit not up lo expectations, many retailers have been eager to pay the ceiling rates for Gisborne oranges. One of them (old a grower that he had to dump six cases out ot 24 of tile imported varieties. In another store six oranges in the top layer of a freshly-opened case, were thrown out as unsound. When a marketing linn in Gisborne was interviewed on the subject, it was learned that the normal marketing channels would absorb any good local oranges at ceiling rates. Without making any attempts to secure orders, it was said that the firm was getting repeated inquiries from outside districts and could immediately place 100 cases. Not High Export Quality. One well-known grower on the fiats said he had two visitoia recently who were inquiring lor oranges. He had completed the picking of hi s crop and had nothing to offer them. They had' volunteered the information that they had tried the Australian oranges and preferred the Gisborne orange, which, they said, was sweeter and better. Many of the Australian oranges were rough in the skin, as well as thick-skinned, and obviously not of any high export quality. To meet the competition in future, Mr. L. Grey, Ormond, and other growers with whom he has spoken are taking caretul stock of the sweet orange trees in their groves. In (he war period there was a market for all varieties, but it was found that some of the treees were not worth 'orchard space. They will be cut back and worked over to varieties giving consistent returns of good quality fruit. "Some of the varieties tried j-U under Gisborne growing conditions will be discarded because they are rough and thick-skinned, pithy, seedy or small and it is intended to bud those over," said Mr. Grey. "Some trees produce beautiful fruit, but are erratic in their bearing and as the trees get older the fruit gets smaller. ‘‘Growers should concentrate on size, appearance and quality and I _ would suggest that the only three varieties that should be grown here are the Washington navel. Groverley navel and a good type of late Valencia," be said. “Others still could be planted in small numbers, but not on a commercial scale.” Anxiety of Growers. The threat of the introduction of fruit fly with the sweet oranges from Australia was considered of more importance than any _ suggestion that competition would drive local growers out of competition. If the fruit fly gained a hold in this country it would have damaging effects on the pip and stone fruit industry as well as citrus holdings. It was natural for growers to be anxious.

The industry in Gisborne seemed concerned greatly regarding the importation of grapefruit and marmalade pulp. The explanation made by the Government was that the importation of tinned pulp had been carried out bv a private firm in the Dominion. It was contended that the Goverment could have refused to grant the licenses for that purpose if consideration was being given to the industry, as claimed bv the'Minister of Marketing and Agriculture. Mr. E. L. Cullen. During the next 15 years an extra acreage of 40.000 lemon trees will be required to meet the consumer demand, stated Mr. Cullen when opening the new citrus depot at Taurnaga. Sweet orange production in the Dominion totalled only 17.000 bushel cases, which supplies a very small proportion ot the demand.

“Drought” Precautions.

In the event of the Department of Agriculture declaring, any particular district a drought area, the Railway Department will make transport available for shifting stock to agistment areas where feed is to be had. provided that the transfer is approved by the department. Information to that efTcct lias been received by Federated Farmers from the Minister of Railways. The question of providing relief in Ifreight charges for stock to be moved from drought, fire and flood-stricken areas anej for stock food brought into those districts, it is stated, is under consideration bv the Minister of Agriculture following representations from the federation.