GAIN BY STATE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20000, 27 July 1939, Page 16

GAIN BY STATE

LARGE PROFIT LIKELY JAP. ONION SHIPMENT LANDED PRIDE ESTIMATE COST TO STOREKEEPERS (Per Prcii Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. At the expense of housewives throughout New Zealand, the Government is expected to make a large profit on the shipment of Japanese onions which arrived by the Naniwa Maru on Saturday. Provided the entire quantity is disposed of, the Government should show a clear gain of about £7OOO.

Prices to storekeepers have been fixed at 22s a crate of one hundredweight, or ,C 22 a ton. The general opinion in Auckland is that the shipment of 725 tons was landed by the Internal Marketing Department at from £8 IDs to £l2 a ton,, including duty and all freight charges. Storekeepers and merchants have been kept in the dark as to the actual purchase price, but it is obvious that a handsome profit is being made. No figures were made public by the Director of Internal Marketing, Mr. F. R. Picot, who left Auckland for Wellington yesterday after transacting business in connection with the onion shipment.

Taking the purchase price at a conservative estimate of £l2 a ton landed in New Zealand, the Government is making a 'profit of £lO a ton in selling Japanese onions to the consumers at £22 a ton, thus adding another burden to the housewife in her purchase of a valuable winter food. Assuming that the entire shipment is sold in spite of the boycott imposed by the Chinese fruiterers and many Europeans, the Government should show a gain of about £7OOO.

It has been, stated that the Japanese shipment will be distributed only where necessary. Supplies of onions from Pukekohc and the surrounding districts tare new coming in. freely to the local market and can be obtained for £2O to £2l a ton. Alternatively. Californian onions may be purchased for 24s a bag of 10.01 b. New Zealand onions are still being shipped to Australia in execution ol contracts made several months ago. Heavy exports have been, leaving New Zealand since early this year.