CITRUS FRUIT PRICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 11

CITRUS FRUIT PRICES.

CONCERN OF GROWERS. DUMPING OF LEMONS BLAMED. The market for citrus fruits was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Auckland Citrus Growers' Association yesterday, tho president, Mr. S. W. House, presiding. "We must put on our armour arid protect ourselves," said tho vicepresident, Captain Lambden, commenting on a statement in the annual report that tho prices obtained for lemons had been disastrous for a long time. -"It is absolutely necessary that this association should carry on, because it is tho only body to look after our interests." Tho annual report stated that tho citrus exhibit at the Winter Show had been a good advertisement. New Zealand grapefruit did not obtain good prices last winter and heavy importations from Australia were acting against higher prices. For a long time the dumping of lemons i'rom Australia was the chief factor in accounting for the low prices, and although urgent representations had been made to the Government in this matter, nothing had been done, and there seemed little hope of anything being done in the near future.

Four resolutions from the last annual meeting were dealt with by the executive. No adjustment had been made in respect to tariff, in spite of representations to the Government; an application to the Fruitgrowers' Federation for r.n annual grant from tho orchard tax was refused on the ground that the Dominion mark scheme would advertise New Zealand lemons and grapefruit; the prices of cases and shocks were carefully considered, and while growers near Auckland could obtain more favourable prices, not much advantage could be secured for those at a distance; lack of funds and the fact that a case levy had been refused without the consent of the grower had made an advertising scheme practically impossible. A report from the Citrus Pool showed a considerable increase in output and a reduction in the average price per case. It was stated that much undergrade fruit was reaching the pool and in future only classes of fair quality fruit would be handled, suitable for retail marketing or factory processes. After some discussion, it was decided to leave this matter in the hands of the executive committee, co-ordinating with the pool manager, Mr. 11. K. Becroft.

The Government orchard instructor, Mr. L. Poynter, staled that some orchards were, producing lemons of a very highgrade quality, but others were inferior in quality, and it was a question of educating and training growers to a higher standard. A number of remits to the annual meeting of the Fruitgrowers' Federation, to be held in Wellington on September 7, was passed. It was recommended that better control be exercised over the importation of citrus trees, with possibly an increase of duty. Another remit urged further protection of the New Zealand citrus industry. The following officers were elected President, Mr. S. W. House; vice-presi-dent, Captain Lambdcn; executive, Messrs. H. L. liecroftj L. Schramm, H. S. Izard and F. L. Shaw; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. S. Izard; assistantsecretary, Mr. G. A. Green; auditor, Mr. W. ,T. Bodger; delegate to provincial conference, Mr. S. W. House.