CONTROL OF FRUIT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21088, 14 July 1938, Page 4

CONTROL OF FRUIT

DISSATISFACTION IN ISLANDS By Telegraph—Press Assoclat'rn AUCKLAND, July 13. "They have killed out citrus fruit trade," said Mr W. G. Johnson, of Suva, who -rrlved at Auckland by the Matua this morning, when referring to the New Zealand Government control of fruit importations. Mr Johnson explained that the Government's restrictions were impracticable. and therefore exports of citrus fruits to the Dominion from Fiji had ended halfway through the past season. Those connected with the industry at Suva were most dissatisfied, said Mr Johnson. Up till the time he left Suva no account of the sales or payment on account of the shipment of citrus fruit from Suva on April 28 had been received. “There has not been a word or a scratch of the pen to indicate whether or not it was in go-'” condition, or what price it brought,” he said. Under the former method of shipment to regular fruit merchants at Auckland, shippers could, if they desired, draw funds from the local banks directly the fruit was shipped, and the remainder of the proceeds were received by the first return mail. The average shipper was not in a financial position to wait indefinitely for payment.