SHORTAGE OF ORANGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF ORANGES

ACUTE SHIPPING POSITION JAMAICAN SUPPLIES CUT OFF (PA.) WELLINGTON. Jan. 29. The supplies of oranges arriving in New Zealand to the end of April are likely to be very limited. Explaining the circumstances leading to this probable shortage the Minister of Marketing, Mr J. G. Barclay, said to-night that apart from occasional unavoidable shortages the Internal Marketing Division had maintained a fairly regular and adequate supply. In normal times New Zealand's requirements came according to the seasonal supply from Jamaica, the Cook Islands and Australia, but since the outbreak of war the shipping position had made it impossible to obtain the usual supplies from Jamaica which filled the gap between the end of the Australian season in December and the arrival of first Islands' shipments in April or May. Attempts to substitute Palestine fruit for Jamaican had so far been unsuccessful although negotiations to secure the necessary shipping space were still continuing. The shortage had been accentuated by very light crops in Australia and only a limited portion of our full requirements would be available from this source for the next few months, although the growers would maintain a reduced supply to New Zealand for a limited period. , The public should also realise that although the Islands' supplies will be available towards the end of April, the ability to secure these supplies was dependent entirely on the available shipping facilities. Naturally. too, military, civil, hospital and other medical requirements would take precedence, and the public would respond to automatic rationing during any period of shortage which might arise. The Internal Marketing Department would continue to arrange complete distribution throughout New Zealand of all stocks received.