EXPORT OF FRESH VEGETABLES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 10

EXPORT OF FRESH VEGETABLES

Authority Of Minister Required REASON FOR CONTROL Shipments To Be Made In Good Order The exportation of fresh vegetables and fresh tomatoes is prohibited, save with the consent of the Minister of Customs, by an Order-in-Council published in the Gazette issued yesterday. In an interview last evening the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Lee Martin, explained that this action had been taken to ensure that all consignments of vegetables and fresh tomatoes from the Dominion were made in a manner which would not be prejudicial to export trade in these goods. To this end no permits would be issued to export fresh vegetables overseas, except in clean, new sacks or other approved packages. New sacks would not, however, he insisted upou in the case of goods exported as ships’ stores.

Applications for permits to export vegetables other than as ships’ stores are to be made iu the first instance to the Department of Agriculture at the port of intended shipment. Such applications must indicate: (a) The name of the consignor; (b) the name of the consignee; (c) destination; (d) quantity and kind of vegetables to be exported; (e) nature of packages to be used; and (f) name of vessel in which shipment is being made. “After satisfying themselves that the department’s requirements as to packages have been duly complied with and that the vegetables are free from disease, the department’s inspectors will notify the Collector of Customs at the port of shipment and that officer will then, on behalf of the Minister of Customs, issue a permit for the export of the shipment in question,” said Mr. Martin. ■■Arrangements are being made by the Customs Department for the issue to shipping companies of general permits for the export of vegetables as ships’ stores and for shipments of vegetables other than potatoes to tlie Pacific Islands of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Savage Islands, or Society Islands. Shipping companies should not accept vegetables for export otherwise than as ships’ stores unless there is presented to them a permit issued by the Minister of Customs authorizing the exportation.’