MENACE TO GROWERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 326, 20 January 1932, Page 4

MENACE TO GROWERS.

“ Australian Imports Would Kill N.Z. Fruit.” CHRISTCHURCH OPINION. Elimination of local growers from the market if Australian fruit imports are allowed in New Zealand was‘predicted by a prominent Canterbury fruit and tomato grower yesterday. The grower stated that Cook Island oranges were stopped from coming into New Zealand after December 1 of every year owing to the prevalence of fruit fly. On the other hand Austra-

lian oranges, which came from fruit fly infested areas, could be imported into the country at any time of the season. If it was sound economically to stop Cook Island fruit, it was sound to do the same to Australian fruit. Exotic Fruits. “There has never been any suggestion by the growers that pineapples, bananas and fruit which cannot *be grown in the Dominion should be prohibited,” said the grower, referring to a statement made that prohibition would mean ‘the disappearance of the fruit from the New Zealand market. “Pineapples and bananas are some of the fruits which are not subject to disease, and the growers do not wish to stop their import.”

Cheapest for Tears. “How ridiculous the statement of the wholesalers concerning the fabulous prices which would be paid if Australian fruit was prohibited really is to be seen by the prices paid for cherries and apricots this year,” said the grower. “The fruit has never been so cheap in the history of New Zealand and thousands of cases were sold in the local markets for 3d and 4d a pound, and this in spite of the fact that there was practically no fruit imported from Australia. As for cucumbers, local growers only received a return of Id a pound on their hothouse product, so there can be no talk of fabulous prices.”