ORANGES FOR DOMINION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21580, 26 August 1933, Page 12

ORANGES FOR DOMINION

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FRUIT REGULATED IMPORTATION FIRST SHIPMENT TO-DAY fill' TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT"] WELLINGTON, Friday A statement announcing the Govern ment's decision to allow the importation of oranges from South Australia under a quantitative restriction ivas made by the acting-Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, to-day. He said the Government was satisfied the action taken woidd ei\suro that adequate supplies of citrus fruit would he available to the public. "With respect to the embargo, which was imposed in December last, on the importation of fruit and vegetables from Australia," said the Minister, "it will bo remembered the embargo was practically forced upon New Zealand, owing, on the ono hand, to the necessity for protecting our rapidly-develop-ing citrus fruit growing industry against the introduction of Mediterranean fruit fly, and on the other to the disability under which the Dominion was suffering on account of the restrictions in force in both Australia and the United States of America on the importation of New Zealand fruit and vegetables into those countries. Sinco tho embargo was imposed on Australian fruit the Government has completed negotiations with the Government of tho United States of America, and as a result that countrv will now allow the introduction of our fruit. It is expected a valuable additional market will bo available to our exporters. "The Government was advised by the United States authorities that the importation of fruit into New Zealand from South Australia, where tho Mediterranean fruit tiy does not exist, would not prejudice the entry of our fruit into tho States. Discussions were therefore opened with tho Australian Government and it has now been decided to allow tho importation of oranges from South Australia, subject for the time being to certain conditions. The sudden removal of an embargo would detrimentally affect those of our traders who have supplies of the commodity concerned which have been obtained from other sources.

"Comprehensive consideration has been given to tho whole matter and the importation of certain definite quantities of oranges from South Australia will commence almost immediately, arrangements having been made with the Commonwealth Government to regulate the quantities shipped. The position will be subject to periodic review. Under tho arrangements which have been made tho first shipment of South Australian oranges, consisting of ;iOOO cases, will arrive at Bluff by the Waikouaiti to-morrow. Further shipments for the North and South Islands will arrive at intervals thereafter until tho export season is finished."