ISLAND ORANGES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21361, 2 June 1939, Page 10

ISLAND ORANGES

Fruiterers Complain Insufficient Supplies Liberated By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. June 1. Because the number of island oranges released to the local market from the Matua’s recent shipment was not sufficient to meet the demand, considerable indignation with the Internal Marketing Division was expressed by Auckland fruit retailers. It was stated that the small quantities made available after the ship's arrival on Wednesday were soon taken by early buyers and that further small supplies released to-day were also readily purchased, few if any retailers were able to secure their full requirements, it was claimed. The announcement that ample quantities would be available to-morrow was made by the director of Internal Marketing, Mr F. R. Picot. He sajd that all the oranges could not be absorbed by the market at once, and to preserve quantities for later requirements it was necessary to place a fairly large number in cool storage. Because fruit from one or two of the islands would hold in cool store better than that from other islands. it was to be expected that the division would allocate for immediate sale the fruit which should be consumed first. To ensure that the orange? chosen for immediate consumption would be released in first class condition, it was necessary to repack 600 J cases. The repacking was begun immediately the ship started discharging on Wednesday morning. Much credit was due to the management arid staff of the Auckland distributors for examining more than 1,600,000 oranges in two days. Cook Island oranges had now been forwarded and would arrive at all main ports in the North Island before the week-end. That was considered important because next Monday was a holiday. Although the 2000 cases distributed in Auckland had not satisfied the demand, ample supplies would be placed on the market to-morrow to meet requirements until after tne holiday. "It is only sound business practice to retain the fruit which will keep best so that supplies of oranges will be available in good condition until the next shipment arri?'es,” Mr Plcot said.