THE ORANGE EMBARGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21992, 29 June 1933, Page 13

THE ORANGE EMBARGO

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —The report presented to the Chamber of Commerce by.., the fruit brokers and retailers quite explains why I have been paying such exorbitant prices for my oranges of late. Usually at this time of the year I have been able to putchase good Australian oranges at from eight to 14 for Is, and now I have to pay Is for four inferior Island or American oranges. The most serious aspect of the whole affair is the fact that the trade are compelled to purchase their supplies of oranges from America, whilst we have the finest orange in the world grown in Australia, which can be retailed here at prices within the reach of all. Are we not defeating our own object by not trading within the Empire. There might have been some justification for Mr Downie Stewart imposing this embargo in the first place, but now that the Australian Government are prepared to meet our wishes, why continue the agony of suspending this fruit any longer than necessary? We know quite well that America will take very little of our fruit, if any at all, and the fact that America imports fruit from Australia should not debar her from taking fruit from New Zealand owing to the Mediteiranian fruit fly, as I understand that all fruit imported into this country is subject to a rigid examination for this fly. I trust the Chamber of Commerce will get busy with Mr Coates on this embargo, and do whatever they can to get this cheap and wholesome fruit back to the people of this country.—l am, etc., Citrus.