CITRUS FRUITS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1933, Page 8

CITRUS FRUITS

EMBARGO LIFTED

QUANTITY RESTRICTED

PROTECTING TRADERS

\ statement announcing the Government's decision to allow the importation of oranges from South Australia, under a quantitative restriction, was made by the Acting 'Prime Minister (tho Et. lion. J. G. Coates) today. Mr. Coatcs said the Government was satisfied that the action taken would ensure that adequate supplies of citrus fruit would bo available to the public. "With respect to the embargo which was imposed in December last on the importation of fruit and vegetables from the Commonwealth of Australia, it will be remembered that the embargo was practically forced upon New Zealand owing, on the one hand, to the necessity for protecting our rapidly developing citrus fruit growing industry against the introduction of tho- Mediterranean fruit fly, and on tho other to the disability under which the Dominion was suffering on account of the restrictions in force both in Australia and the United States of America on tho importation of New Zealand fruit and vegetables into those countries," said Mr. Coates. "Tho position is that for some years Australia has prohibited the importation of the New Zealand products for the reason that fireblight exists in the Dominion, while at the same time the United States of America refused admission of our fruit because New Zealand permitted the entry of fruit and vegetables from countries, including Australia, where, the Mediterranean fruit fly exists. "Since the embargo was imposed on Australian fruit the Government has completed negotiations with- the Government of the United States of America, and as a result that country will now- allow the introduction of our fruit. It is' expected that a valuable additional market will bo available to our exporters. ...... "The Government .was advised by the United States authorities that the importation, of fruit into A Tew Zealand from South Australia, where the Mediterranean fruit fly does riot exist, would not prejudice the entry of our fruit into the United States. Discussions were therefore opened 'with tho Australian Government, and it has now been decided to allow the importation of oranges from South. Australia, subject, for the time being, to certain conditions. "It will be recognised that the sudden, removal of an embargo would detrimentally affect those of our traders who have supplies of the commodity concerned which have been obtained from other sources. Comprehensive consideration has been given to the whole matter, and the importation of certain definite quantities of oranges front South Australia will eonimcucc almost immediately, arrangements having hocn inado with the Commonwealth to regulate the quantities shipped. The position will be subject to periodic review. "The Government. is satisfied that the action which has been taken will ensure, so far as it is possible to do so, that adequate supplies of citrus fruit will be available to the public. Under the arrangements which have been made, the first shipment of South Australian oranges, consisting of three thousand cases of oranges, will arrivo at Bluff per s.s. Waikouaiti tomorrow, and further shipments for the North and South Island will arrive at intervals thereafter until the export season is finished."