RESULTS OF PROPAGANDA,

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1934, Page 7

RESULTS OF PROPAGANDA,

COMPLAINTS MADE ABOUT FRUIT. ORANGES FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 10.15 p.m. Adelaide, Sept. 14. Complaints from New Zealand regarding the quality and price of South Australian oranges are th? result of inspired propaganda organised by certain Australian fruit brokers, who have not in the past been interested in the trade but now apparently desire to enter this market, declared the secretary of the Citrus Association, at Underwood, Mr. Murray,* to-day. He said wholesale prices were subject to the supervision of the New Zealand Government, but retailers might have made exorbitant charges. If instances of genuine wastage of fruit were reported the loss was made good to the buyer. Therefore the allegation about wastage was incorrect.

Reports ‘rom New Zealand were that the fruit was turning out very well, he added, and the results so far enabled South Australian growers to receive from 6s to 7s bushel net at the orchard. Mr. A. S. Strickland, deputy-inspector of horticulture, said the fruit was carefully inspected before it left Australia. Every precaution was taken to ensure its arrival in good condition. “It is regrettable that certain interests have seen fit to circulate unfounded reports of the quality and price of South Australian oranges,” said the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. A. P. Blesing, following a deputation of growers who desired to contradict statements which have been made in New Zealand.

Mr. Blesing said that South Australia; was. free from the Mediterranean fly, and it was incorrect to say that the South Australian monopoly of the export of oranges to New Zealand made them excessively dear. “Oranges can only enter New Zealand up to the quota fixed by the New Zealand Government, and there must be some central control over there,” he said. “All growers can ship on a pro rata basis according to their production, provided the fruit is of the high quality needed for export.”