NORTHERN CITRUS FRUITS

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1926, Page 8

NORTHERN CITRUS FRUITS

DISPLAY AT DUNEDIN EXL.i.iTION. CREATES GOOD IMPRESSION IN THE SOUTH. (Contributed.) At the Dunedin Exhibition there is a comprehensive display of Auckland district’s citrus, fruits. Preliminary arrangements for this display were made by the executive of the Citrus Growers’ Association, it. being quickly recognised that such an opportunity for advertising what Auckland can produce in the way of citrus fruits was far too good to be missed. Aa is usually tlie case in any such undertaking, finance was the initial difficulty, but this important point was successfully overcome, so that the full energies of the executive were available towards the general interest of the exhibit itself. Messrs. Turners and Growers, managing agents for the association, permitted the use of the large stand previously used by them at the recent Winter Shows in Auckland. This was dismantled on the firm’s premises and re-assembled in Dunedin. This firm also made it possible for Mr A. Bart, an expert employed in the lemon department, to make the trip to Dunedin to personally supervise the erection and dressing of the display.

DIFFICULTIES AT DUNEDIN. Although, all fruit and material for the exhibit was • railed in what was reckoned as allowing adequate time for transit, it did not arrive at. its destination until some days after the expected time. 'Generally speaking, the arrangements for the work did not appear to be anything like well in hand, as the marquees were not erected until the morning of the day set for the , opening of the show. No arrangements had been made for electric lighting in the tents, and it was-not until it was pointed out to the general that tlie citrus exhibit (and possibly others) would he ruined lighting that any steps were taken in the matter. To make matters, worse, when at last the tents were ready for the setting up of exhibits, it was pouring with rain; Water was rushing over the ground inside, and the tents themselves were leaking in many places. When the show opened it was necessary to place planks for visitors to walk on to prevent them from struggling through the slush. In overcoming this difficulties Mr. Batt displayed keenness and energy in staging what proved to be one of the features of the show. „

THE CITRUS DISPLAY. „ A feature of the -exhibit was the lemons, which were arranged on an octagonal base surrounded by a pyramid, on top of the whole being a lemon tree in bearing. As the season for citrus fruit was practically over, there were only a few oranges displayed. .Around .the base of the pyramid was placed a row of New Zealand ferns, while the lower part was -occupied. >7 plates of lemons of different varieties, interspersed with lemon . trees* ferns and palms. ' The whole combined to form one of the most striking features of the whole show, and demonstrated that Auckland can produce lemons of a quality equal to anything else in the world’ The lemons, which were ot. exceptionally ■ fine quality, were 'selected and cured under the supervision of Mi. Becroft, of. the lemon department at Messrs. Turners and Growers. I tactically all districts supplying lemons to this ’department were represented m the display.

IMPRESSIONS OF VISITORS. From tbc fact that this exhibit was I practically the first of its kind to > I staged South Island, the Lions of southern people arc of more than usual interest. The opinion has long been expressed by the people of the South Island, especially those of Christchurch and Dunedin, that the Auckland district could not produce lemons to compare with those imported from Australia or foreign countries. Surprise at finding such an excellent finality lemon produced in the Auckland district was the outstanding impression or visitors. “Why import lemons when sue" as these can be obtained locally? they asked. Croat interest was attached to the comments of an Australian gentleman connected : with a large firm of publishers in Sydney. He expressed himself as being wonderfully impressed with the quality of New Zealand lemons. He had no idea before, he said, that anything like the quality of fruit could be produced here. He had to admit, that he had never seen anything better—not even in Australia. He further admitted that he would have something to friends about when he got home. I )K ' exhibition authorities gave permission for lemons to be sold from the stand, and everybody wanted to buy lentous. It seemed as' though far more lemons must be used in the South than jn the North, but this can be explained from the , fact' that whereas in Auckland practically every suburban garden lias its lemon free full of fruit, in the South Island such a thing is unknown. The exhibit was awarded the highest award, and the Royal Horticultural Society’s gold medal. This award was made by. a committee of experts set up by the management committee of the Horticultural Week. This expert committee expressed the highest opinion of the quality of the fruit, appearance, texture ami juice content. They were unanimously of opinion that the lemons examined were fully equal to any imported from other countries. A striking feature was the number of inquiries from southern people regarding lemon growing in the'North; Mr. Batt stated that he was inundated with questions of every description, from people desiring further, knowledge of the prospects of the. industry in the North Island.

COMMERCIAL POSSIBILITIES. From the point of view of the producer of citrus fruits the most valuable, result attained will be the possibility of enlarging commercial ..relations with dealers in the south. -A great deal was learned regarding. the true position in so far as if ■ affects the sale of Auckland

“There is a pleasure iu poetic pains;’’ —Cowper. Coughs and colds often catch ns unawares in the warm weather. Be armed against these maladies with Baxter’s Lung Preserver. “Baxter’s’’ is r, re. liable remedy for summer chills, throat affections and Influenza, being rich and penetrative. A- dose in time in-, a. kddy ■wards off the trouble. “Baxter’s’’ is also a sterling ionic, enriching the blood and building up impoverished constitutions. Obtainable ail client Ist a or stores, 2s Od gem •• msized bottle. ’ 5

■ ii.ons. T' t.i .i trading i •u-pany in • •;h»ri-.1 iiiat large' j.entities mi.,i .-.io con..iinmlly c-o; 1 i-j. ;■> band. This was rough-ski line . .-,■■! aod of a. particularly bad I..eg !|i.-i :t y. This fact had a very detrimental effect upon the prestige of Auckland lemons. It would appear that the only effect of the tightening of inspection regulations in Auckland against the sale of lemons infected with varracosis and other diseases was that the class of fruit now found its way in increasing quantities on to the markets of the south. If this is so it shows a most unsatisfactory state of affairs indeed, and should be investigated without delay. It is freely admitted by those in charge of the display that prior to the show there was a marked feeling of antagonism towards the Auckland lemons,' but after seeing the fruit on the stand this feeling was absolutely reversed. Retailers appeared perfectly willing to trade in Auckland lemons if they could be produced in anything like the condition of those on exhibition. Here it might be mentioned that the exhibit was something more than a competitive venture merely to obtain credit for the display itself. Over forty bushel cases of lemons of extra fine quality were forwarded to Dunedin for the display.

This fact in itself was a complete denial of any suggestion that the lemons were only super-fine samples of which there could be no possibility of a further supply. Retailers in Dunedin expressed satisfaction, were quite prepared to do business.

One factor which operates strongly against the successful distribution °of Auckland lemons in the south is the competition they meet with in foreign importations. Until recently, the most serious competition to be met with came from the United States, but this, has temporarily ceased owing to an embargo on citrus fruits from California. It was hoped that this measure would do much to benefit New Zealand growers. Any benefit, however, has been completely negatived- by the influx of Italian fruit. These have arrived daring recent months in New Zealand in such quantities that they have 'sold on the Auckland market at as low a price as 10/ per case. It can easily be seen that, with an apparently endless supply of these lemons arriving month by month, it is almost impossible to ship Auckland lemons to Dunedin to return anything like a payable price to the grower. Orders recently received for Auckland lemons have been cancelled because imported Italians were available at far cheaper rates. They would therefore present a more glowing prospect to the retailer than the local product. At different times during the past few years, representation has been made to the Government for protection against importations from foreign countries, and those opposed to such an action have invariably stated that local lemons could not compare with the imported for quality. If the exhibit at the Dunedin Exhibition accomplishes nothing further it will at least establish tlie superiority of Auckland lemons. ■ One direct result obtained, from tlie display in Dunedin will be that the controlling body representing_the citrUs growers, nameljr, the Auckland Citrus Growers’ Association,' will be able to push ahead for legislation controlling the importation of foreign lemons. All the familiar arguments raised against such an action by the Government have been removed. The citrus industry is now on a firm foundation and will go on increasing its output, provided adequate protection is obtained from the Government. By using the home-grown article the consumer is encouraging the development of local industry, thereby creating employment. The money spent in lemons .will remain in New Zealand and be a help to New Zealanders instead of being sent out of the country to further help to develop some foreign land already competing strongly with us for our essential markets.