ORANGE SUPPLIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22714, 28 April 1937, Page 12

ORANGE SUPPLIES

IMPORTANCE TO HEALTH THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] IXVET?OA Rf.ILL. Tuesday The need for better supplies of oranges in New Zealand was stressed by the Mayor of Riverton, Dr. N. G. Trotter, when addressing the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, at a civic reception. The Minister, in his reply, said that arrangements were in train for receiving supplies from the Cook Islands, and it was hoped also to arrange for reciprocal trade with Australia so that supplies eonld be obtained from the Commonwealth. The Mayor said that as a doctor he was vitally interested in maintaining the health of the community. It was well known that citrus fruits played an important part in maintaining hen till. There was an abundance of oranges in Australia, and there should be no necessity for a shortage while there were plenty near at hand. The Government was interested in encouraging physical culture, but he asserted that little could be done without adequate supplies of the important vitamin C represented by citrus fruits. The Minister said the Government was dealing with the problem. Mr.. J. 8. Smith, secretary of the Cook Islands group, .had been sent to the Cook Islands to endeavour to make suitable arrangements tor supplies of fruit that would he satislifctory to the islanders and to the consumers. It was necessary to see that oranges were landed and marketed in New Zealand under the best arrangement possible. lie also hoped that the day was not far distant when reciprocal trade could be arranged with Australia. There was no reason why there should he a dearth of oranges here because New Zealand was frightened of the Mediterranean tly, or that there, should be a shortage of potatoes in Australia when there were plenty here because they did not like scabby blight. It, was the aim of the Government to try to arrange for trade between the two countries to be as even sis possible. COOK ISLAND GROWERS STATE CONTROL EXPLAINED [ 11Y TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION J \VI£LI.IX(;TOX, Tuesday A representative, meeting of fruit producers and exporters was held at Avarua recently, when the Resident Commissioner, Mr. 11. F. Avson, explained the position of Government control, states the correspondent of the t'uited Press Association at Rarotonga. He asked those present to exercise patience and confidence in the Government until Mr S .1. Smith, Secretary to the Cook Islands Department, arrived to explain the details of the Government's proposals in regard to the disposal of Cook Island oranges for the coming season, and for the export of fruit generally.