EMBARGO ON ONIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18762, 16 July 1924, Page 11

EMBARGO ON ONIONS.

MODIFICATTOri DESIRED.

SHIPMENT UND'ER CERTIFICATE.

CONTENTIONS BY IMPORTERS.

The proposed embargo on the importation of onions from California, as a precaution against the introduction of foot and mouth disease into the Dominion was the subject of comment yesterday by Mr. G. Hartnett, fruit inspector for the Agricultural Department. Mr. Hartnett stated that the United States Government was conducting an intensive campaign against foot and mouth disease. The necessity for suppressing the disease was vital, and the CaHfornian supplies could be prohibited from importation into the Dominion without seriously affecting the market. No onions had been imported from California for 12 months, but heavy shipments had recently arrived from Melbourne. The Australian and Canadian onions should be available in adequate supplies to tide over a period of embargo. As soon as the disease was under complete control, the Californi&n market would be available. Other Sources oi Supply. General surprise at the proposed embargo is expressed by local grain merchants and importers of produce. Although the announcement has come unexpectedly, and the embargo under contemplation is drastic, it does not justify the supposition that an onion famine is imminent, and importers consider that large supplies can be drawn from other sources without serious delay. The prevalence of foot and mouth disease in California is not disputed, but some merchants maintain that It does not warrant the embargo, as there have been epidemics of the disease in various parts of the world, which have been kept within bounds without the introduction of drastic measures.

The onion crop in New Zealand last year was almost negligible, and imports were consequently heavy. Experts anticipate that the yield for the coming season will not be high, and it was expected that imports from California would again be heavy. Local merchants have booked shipments to arrive in September, October, and November, but some of these may have to bo cancelled if the restrictions are to apply unreservedly to all Californian-grown onions. The manager of an Auckland produceimporting firm stated yesterday that the merchants had no official information as to the scope of the proposed embargo, but did not anticipate that the regulations would be so drastic ae to bann all Californian onions irrespective of whether they were certified free from the disease. At present quantities were being shipped at American ports bearing certificates that they were from crops guaranteed free from infection. Supervision Over Exports. Advice was received yesterday by one Auckland merchant to the effect that a quantity of Californian onions were ready for shipment to his order ; as they had been certified free from disease.

The United States Government has been exercising supervision over all onions exported from California, and it is thought that the regulations to bo drafted will contain a proviso that shipments accompanied by certificates will not bo banned.

Should the embargo refer to all Californian crops merchants will be compelled to draw supplies from British Columbia and Japan, and as the production of both these countries is substantial, the supplies would at least prevent a serious shortage. The demand for onions reaches its maximum during the concluding months of the year, so that as soon as the provisions of the embargo are known, importers will be lodging orders at the various alternative sources of supply, Bhould this be necessary. The Canadian crops are not in season with Dominion requirements.