SUPPLIES OF ORANGES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 5 December 1940, Page 7

SUPPLIES OF ORANGES

PLANS FOR IMPORTATION COOK ISLANDS AND AUSTRALIA [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, 3rd December. Plans for the importation of oranges this season were mentioned by the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, when replying to the second reading debate ori the Agriculture (Emergency Regulations) Confirmation Bill in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr Nash explained that oranges were being sold at so much a dozen, retailers being given 40 per cent, on cost. If oranges could not be obtained from the Cook Islands supplies might come from Australia. A suggestion had been made that sweet oranges should be imported from California, but that would eat up dollar funds. Arrangements were being made to get oranges from Jamaica, but he did not know how long they would take to come. He had discussed the possibility of getting Jaffa oranges, but that was not practicable. Supplies would be obtained first from the Cook Islands, then from Australia and the Government might have to get some from Jamaica, he added. The Rarotonga fruit was improving in quality and loss this year was less than ever before.