SUPPLY OF ORANGES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 173, 29 October 1941, Page 5

SUPPLY OF ORANGES

IRREGULARITY AND HIGH PRICES

BEAiUCRACY BLAMED

The spokesman for the Auckland branch of the Internal Marketing Department has been extremely emphatic over the orange famine, "lo blame the Government or the Internal Marketing Department for the present shortage," he says, "is just so much flabby nonsense." To find a public servant hitting out like that is refreshing, certainly, but not so refreshing as oranges might be, states "Belter Business" in its October issue. Further, there is an ominous ring about that impatience or criticism; as if the words came from a public master rather than a public servant. Tn any ease such expressions of opinion cut no' ice in alleviating the position. The facts are just this: New Zealand fruit shops were chalking the words "No Oranges To-day" on the pavements outside their premises while simultaneously Australian growers could hardly give the fruit awaj r . At Gosford, near Sydney, oranges were selling at Is 6d to 2s a bucketful, about 80. In explanation, the Internal Marketing Department's Auckland manager claims that the New Zealand shortage is due to cau,ses beyond the Government's control. He inferred that a lack of shipping space was. responsible. Who is to blame for lack of shipping space for those controlling it? Under import and export licensing whe controls it but the Government? And what of prices? The New Zealand consumer is beginning to wonder why he is loaded with 18s 6d in shipping and incidental charges on Is 6d worth of oranges. At 3d each for average fruit, 80 runs into £1. Vegetables, 100, are a great deal dearer than in former years at this season. Small cauliflowers at up to is 6d each are beyond many housewives; potatoes at 4d to Sd per pound have been luxuries; peas at Is 6d per pound wholesale, and mush rooms retailing at 5s per pound are fantastic. The vegetable rise is blamed on to heavy orders for military camps. Yet every man in camp consumed just as many vegetables when he was a private citizen. New Zealand, with an army overseas, is hardly eating more vegetables in October, 1941, than was. the case in, say, October, 1936. Under private enterprise there were competitive prices and few shortages. Under bureaucratic control there are famines and high prices, gluts and dumping. There is, in fact, a case to answer which is far from "flabby nonsense."