2-5 ORANGES AND ONE BANANA

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1936, Page 6

2-5 ORANGES AND ONE BANANA

YOUR FRUIT RATION OVER CHRISTMAS SEASON

[Special to “Northern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day.

During the Christmas season, it is estimated that your fruit ration will consist of: Two and a half oranges. One banana.

And this is despite the move made by the Government to end the orange shortage. Word has been received that arrangements are to be made for the importation of 12,000 cases of Australian oranges. Of these, Wellington and Auckland will each get 4000 and j the remainder will go to the South Island. Not Enough. Hi But even that is not enough. According to Mr S. Coleman, secretary ' of the Auckland Retail Fruiterers’ Association, an optimistic estimate of the quantity available for the Auck- % land ; Province will be about 10,000 cases. r ’ This would be sufficient to provide every person in the province with two and a half oranges. . This week, he said, the Port Bowen

would bring 8000 cases of Jamaican > .oranges, of which 3000 were for Auckland, and on December 21 the Niagara would bring 900 cases for Auckland. These,- with the 4000 cases expected Australia, would make 7900 cases available for the province. It was also possible that some Japanese oranges would be available, and it was hoped that ,the U.S. shipping strike ■ height be settled in time for some Californian oranges to arrive to meet the holiday demand. •: . n Disparity In Prices. , Mr Coleman quoted figures showing the . disparity between orange prices in New Zealand and elsewhere. In London, in October, he said, Jitaittican dtanges were selling at , from 10/ to 14/ a case, while the Auckland price was from 40/ to «/. He also forecasted a shortage of bananas, and said tlTat the Government had removed all quota restrictions during December. He estimated ,that during the fortnight from December 21 to January 4, there would be a sufficient supply for one banana for each-mart, woman and child.