CITRUS FRUIT TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22108, 14 May 1935, Page 10

CITRUS FRUIT TRADE

IMPORTS FROM FIJI SYSTEM OF INSPECTION REGULATIONS ALTERED Following representations made by Auckland interests to the Agricultural Department in Wellington last week, the regulations governing tho landing of citrus fruit from Fiji have been amended. As a result, instead of the customary inspection for tho presenco of fruit fly, made by the Government inspector on tho wharf, and in which the fate of a consignment depended on the condition of a small percentage of tho total number of cases, importers will now bo able to land tho fruit and repack it, rejecting any affected by tho fly. It is stipulated that tho repacking operations must be carried out to the satisfaction of a Government inspector. About 1000 cases of citrus fruit, mostly mandarins, arrived by the Aorangi yesterday. The fruit was repacked under tho new system. "Under the former regulations, citrus fruit from Fiji was inspected at tho wharf by tho Government inspector," said an Auckland importer yesterday, "but some concern was caused in tho trade by the method of inspection. A small proportion of the cases comprising each 'lino' was selected by tho inspector, and if fruit fly were prevalent in these the whole 'lino' would bo condemned. The losses were enormous."

However, the alteration in the regulations would substantially alter the position, ho continued, and would mako for smoother working. Distribution to the public would be greatly facilitated, and there would be the additional advantage of the complete removal of all infected fruit, which was impossible under the former system, where large consignments of imports were judged by the condition of a relatively small number of cases.