CHEAP ORANGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22541, 5 October 1936, Page 11

CHEAP ORANGES

DOMINION'S IMPOSTS NEW SOUTH WALES CASE QUESTION OF FRUIT FLY An assertion that New South Wales oranges could lie retailed in New Zealand at Is to 2s a dozen is made by representatives of the citrus industry of New South Wales, who are visiting the Dominion. In a statement tliev claim that their State could supply large quantities of oranges from .May until the following .March at prices which would permit oranges to he retailed at Is to 2s a dozen and mandarins at 6d to Is

It is pointed out that at present New Zealand depends for its supplies from December until March on highpriced fruit from the United States and the West Indies, although ample supplies are available in New South Wales. Satisfactory Precautions "The embargo was placed by New Zealand on the grounds of the danger of the introduction of Mediterranean fruit fly," the statement says. "It should be borne in mind that New Zealand lias imported fruit from New South Wales for over 50 years. Fruit fly has been known to exist in New South Wales for about 40 years, and the fact that fruit was imported during that time and the fly has not become established in the Dominion seems to indicate that the precautions taken have been entirely satisfactory. It is considered that the climate of New Zealand is not suitable for the establishment of the fly. The Australian and New South Wales Governments have power and are willing to enforce regulations that will prevent infected fruit from being shipped and that this can bo done, and New Zealand therefore amply safeguarded, is confirmed by a resolution passed at a conference of pathologists, entomologists and other scientific officers held at Canberra in June, 1931, and at which New Zealand was represented by Dr. G. H. Cunningham. Balance ol Trade

"The question of the balance of trade has been raised at times and it should be pointed out that a very much increased quantity of oranges could be imported from New South Wales for the same amount of money that is now being spent overseas in obtaining the present supplies. "The growers of New South Wales have 110 desire to flood the market with cheap fruit, or to enter into competition with similar fruits that may be grown locally or imported from the C'opk Islands, but desire to participate in any quota that may be permitted by New Zealand in order to supply the requirements of the New Zealand markets. The continuance of the embargo not only deprives the growers of New South Wales from enjoying the friendly business relationships that existed for so many years, but it also prevents tiie New Zealand public from securing ample supplies of fruit at reasonable prices."