AUSTRALIAN CITRUS FRUIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 May 1936, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CITRUS FRUIT

EMBARGO TO BE RELAXED OPINION IN THE SOUTH (United Press Association) INVERCARGILL, 21st May. ■ “We are pleased to know that some stocks are coming, but we arc by no means satisfied with the quantities that will be available." That was the opinion of men in the wholesale fruit business concerning the announcement made by the Minister of Customs that the Government had decided to relax the embargo against Australian citrus fruit by granting permission lor the export to New Zealand during June, July, and August of a total quantity of 50,000 cases of South Australian oranges. Probably two-tliirds of that quantity would go to the North Island, it was said, and the result would he that when the distribution was comp:ete<l Southland’s share would he smaller than the allocation for the same period last year. “Oranges should come under the heading of necessaries in New Zealand,” "one man said. "They should not be considered a luxury food. Yet it would seem that past and present Governments have found it desirable to impose rigid restrictions oil the admission and distribution of this class of fruit. In view of the available sources of supply and the need of ample quantities for consumption tins attitude seems inexplicable.” It was believed that the Government intended to restrict the. importation of Australian oranges in order to foster, the Cook Island trade. POSITION AT DUNEDIN DUNEDIN, 21st May.

“it is very gratifying to note that the Government has honoured the promise of the Prime Minister gi\en to a deputation of retail fruiterers in February, when Mr Savage said the Government would see to it that Unpeople of the Dominion had an ample supply of citrus fruits,” said Mr New-all, secretary of the South Island Retail Fruiterers’ Federation, in discussing the importation of oranges. Mr New-all said there was a distinct shortage of oranges i»i Dunedin at the present time. Wholesale merchants who imported Jamaican and American oranges had evidently cut down their orders pending a decision from the Government on the Australia embargo, and oranges would consequently be in short supply until July. With reference to the allocation of 50,000 cases of South Australian oranges for New- Zealand for June, July, and August it was pleasing to observe that the Government had not made this a hard-and-fast decree and .that consideration would he given to an increasing quantity should it he found that the Cook Island oranges do not reach the quantities expected!