THE DUTY ON LEMONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19761, 7 October 1927, Page 13

THE DUTY ON LEMONS.

AUCKLAND-GROWN FRUIT. DEMANDS OF THE SOUTH. ' CRITICISM OF QUALITY. {BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The opinion that it is by no means proven that the New Zealand-grown lemons cannot reasonably meet the demand of the Southern markets in the matter of keeping quality, and that better organisation of the trade should assist in regard to this difficulty, is expressed by the remarks of the Minister of Customs, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, :n a memorandum circulated to-day, setting out the reasons which have influenced him in making certain alterations in the tariff. The Minister says the proposed increase in the duty on foreign lemons will be of assistance to local growers in competition with relatively cheap supplies, arriving particularly from Italy. The increased duty of Id per lb represents approximately one-fifth of a penny on each lemon. The duty is, therefore, not high in relation to selling value, which ranges generally between Is and 2s 6d a dozen. Representations were made, both in favour of, and in opposition to, an increase in the duty imposed by the general tariff on lemons. The imports of lemons come mainly from Australia, Italy and the United States. The importations in recent years had been approximately equal to the commercial production of lemons in the Auckland Province. New Zealand's production is increasing, and has practically doubled during the past five years. The Minister addj that improved organisation of the trade is already assisting in the development and control of the supply, and in regard to grading, curing and packing. The supply is also likely to increase as a result of the development of new orchards. Importations have chiefly been to Wellington and South Island ports, the Auckland demand being almost entirely met by local production. Southern Complaints. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) remarked that he had not seen a decent lemon from the Auckland province. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton): We, in the South, get the duds. Mr. Sullivan: It seems that there has been no attempt to make a favourable impression in the South. I understand on good authority that the Auckland lemons are not being used in the Auckland Hospital, and that the imported lemons are being used in practically every hospital in the Dominion. If the Auckland lemon is to be protected, why is it that the price was raised immediately ? Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) contended that the industry required proper handling in order that every warm place in the Dominion could be made to produce lemons, and thus provide sufficient for the requirements of the country. Mr. C. E. Macmillan (Tauranga) put in a plea for the development of the local growing of lemons in the interests of the soldiers in some places who had taken up small agricultural holdings. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) complained that the duty on lemons was prohibitive. They were not grown in any quantity in the Dominion, but they were j in great demand. " Lemona Going to Waste." Mr. Lysnar remarked that the local supply could meet all the Dominion's requirements. In his district the lemons were going to waste for want of a market. Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East): It seems quite obvious that the thick-skinned lemons come fi#m the Gishnrne district. (Laughter.) The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. EL E. Holland, said New Zealand could produce lemons equal to any under the sun. The Prime Minister said that citrus fruits, including lemons, had become a flourishing and staple industry in New Zealand. In five years the production of local lemons had doubled. Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) said it was extraordinary to find opposition to fair protection for the Dominion's citrus fruit industry. The production could be jrebled at very short notice if growers were given the chance to develop their market. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. O. J. Hawken, said he had found as a result of his inspections that the lemon growers were rapidly approaching the stage when they could supply the requirements of the Dominion. The best quality lemons were eaual to the Californian product. In the course of the discussion the Minister suggested a duty of 2d per lb. during the flush of the season and Id per lb. during the slack season. Mr. E. P. Lee (Oamaru) said the wrong kind of lemon was grown in the north of New Zealand, and when they arrived in the South Island they were not worth consideration.