ORANGE NATIONALISM

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 94, 30 November 1936, Page 4

ORANGE NATIONALISM

In New Zealand we wonder at the stupidity and iniquity of economic nationalism which compels Continental people to pay two or three shillings a pound foi butter when they could share in our abundant production. But what are we doing ourselves in refusing to allow our own people to share the abundant fruit production of our subtropical neighbours? Visitors to Australia remark upon the quantity, quality, and cheapness of fruit. With adequate transport we should have equal abundance at an equivalent price plus cost of transport and additional handling. Instead we have prices which always make sub-tropical fruit a semiluxury, with oranges offered at up to fivepence each. This is a case in which iiuits of increased production are being withheld from the people who are rejady and anxious to consume them. The Government is investigating and is expected to announce what action it will take. Action should be taken, and can be, without, any complicated manipulation of credit or currency systems—just by the application of the common-sense principles which the Prime Minister has often advised. —Evening Post.