CITRUS FRUIT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20669, 6 March 1937, Page 5

CITRUS FRUIT

IMPORTATION FROM AUSTRALIA A VEXED QUESTION By Telegraph —Pres? Association INVERCARGILL. March 5. “The deputation opened up a very wide question when it referred to the embargo on Australian fruit,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), when replying to a deputation of Invercargill fruiterers.

“The question of the importation of citrus fruit from Australia is wrapped up with the whole question of the trade relationship between the two countries,” said the Minister. “Oranges and potatoes have certainly played a big part in the negotiations which have taken place between the two countries in the past, and those issues are still very live ones.” e had had private discussions with prominent Australians, including representatives of that Government who had visited New' Zealand, and in each case the Australians had readily admitted that New Zealand had a great deal to support its claim for a more balanced trade between the two countries. “The present trade balance is very much in Australia’s favour and the wiping out of the embargo on Australian oranges will not improve that position,” said Mr Sullivan. The whole question of a trade agreement, would, he hoped, be the subject of negotiation between the two countries at an early date. In the meantime the present Government of New Zealand realised that the people were entitled to obtain a greater supply of oranges than they had done in past years. It was for this reason that very greatly increased quantities of oranges had been permitted to enter New Zealand from Australia this year. Indeed, importations from Australia were far greater last year than they had been for any year during the last seven years. Another point which the Minister was giving special consideration to was the supply of citrus fruit to the South Island which he recognised had be n somewhat neglected in the past. Increased quantities had been sent to Dunedin and Invercargill during the past season, and their requirements would receive further consideration next season.