CITRUS FRUITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22328, 31 July 1934, Page 10

CITRUS FRUITS

EFFECTS OF EMBARGO PROTEST BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The actions of the Government with respect to the embargo on Australian citrus fruits were strongly criticised at the meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce last night. As a result of the embargo, said Mr J. R. Fairbairn, tile people, in the South Island in particular, were suffering from an acute shortage of the most necessary of all fruits. Poor people requiring oranges during the recent influenza epidemic had not been able to procure them on account of the high prices. The direct and indirect losses were great, and retail fruit shops had had to close down everywhere for lack of supplies, thus depriving large numbers of employers and employees from carrying on and obtaining employment in their trade. The benefits and cause of the embargo were obscure to evervone except the Government. The South Island had been suffering intensely from the Australian embargo. Shipments of American fruit had been made to the North Island by the Monterey and Mariposa—both heavily-subsidised American steamers—but this fruit, owing to seamen's differences, had been declared black by the waterside workers, with the result that the South Island had received none of the fruit that was so much needed. Certain supplies of island oranges came to Dunedin from the north, but owing to the great deterioration (as much as 50 per cent.) the sound fruit could not be sold except at high prices beyond the low purchasing powers of the mass of the people who had needed citrus fruit. "The whole trouble is that insidious Government interference has found its way into the fruit trade, with the usual result that a further handicap has been placed on an already harassed trade and business." said Mr Fairbairn. "If the principal reason for the embargo is the hope that America may take our surplus apples, and must be given certain advantages in the way of securing further entry into our trade for her citrus fruit, then we should be told the facts. We do not believe that the United States will prove a market for any substantial quantities of New Zealand apples. Even if a trade in apples were eventually secured in the States, we say. that the consuming people of this Dominion must not be compelled to pay the heavy prices for American citrus fruits. For such benefits the people can »pay too dearly in the matter of money and health. We read that the Government Canadian Trade Commissioner has visited Jamaica and we learn that supplies of citrus fruit will be coming from Jamaica in November, with further shipments later. Here again, what export trade benefits are we likely to secure? If any are likely to eventuate, we should be informed, as it is clear that oranges carried from Jamaica will land'at a heavy cost, and after being stored in cool chambers in vessels will not keep. There is little possibility of our people securing cheap fruit from this source. " There are great surplus supplies ot Australian oranges and lemons available at very low prices, and Australian oranges for flavour are among the world's best. There are reasonably good direct shipping facilities between Sydney, Mel. bourne, and the South Island ports, and it' the embargo were lifted very large quantities of best Australian fruit could be sold here at low prices, and the masses of the people could secure much-needed supplies at prices well within their moaest means." Mr Fairbairn went 6n to discuss possible reasons for the embargo, but protested that none of 1 them was valid. "After the application of considerable pressure," he added, "we are informed by Mr Coates that he has given permission to import 3000 cases of Australian fruit for the South Island. As business men, and as members of the Dunedin chamber of Commerce whose business it is to protect the interests of business in particular and the interests of our people as a whole, we must ask why Government permission must be obtained for the carrying on of the fruit industry—as carried on prior to the embargo being effected. Three thousand cases will not go far to meet the needs of the people throughout the South Island. Why are we not informed of the facts- concerning this incomprehensible position? Our members of Parliament have been urged to bring pressure in certain quarters but so far with little avail. It is time that we demanded that the Government take its hands off the fruit trade and allow the people to obtain what is essentia] for their health at prices within their power to pay. The trade can well cater for the people if left without political interference. As a chamber of commerce we must stand behind those engaged in the business and demand that the farce be ended, and that, the Government be asked to state ite reasons for the embargo which has brought suffering to our people during the last three years since the import of Australian fruit was prohibited." Mr Fairbairn moved—" That the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce maintains that the Australian citrus fruit embargo has brought gross economic loss to the whole Dominion, and to the South Island, in particular, and requests that in the interests of the people's health and for business reasons generally, the embargo should be lifted completely and at once. That this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister and a copy sent to all chambers of commerce throughout the South Island asking for united support, and also to all South Island members of Parliament, requesting them to take united action in the interests of the people." Mr H. A. Newall (secretary of the Retail Fruiterers' Association) supported Mr Fairbairn's remarks. He stated that the prohibitive prices put on citrus fruits were due to the high reserves asked by North Island agents. The South Island was starving for fruit, and it was impossible to meet the country demand. He could get no satisfaction from the Prime Minister, and local members of Parliament had been unable to have the position cleared up.

'" The position from a health point of view is an absolute scandal," said the chairman (Mr W. H. Brent), who added that oranges should be available at a price which the poorest people could pay. The motion was carried,