AUSTRALIAN CITRUS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 43, 6 March 1937, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CITRUS

-Presa Association.)

Southern Fruitgrowers See Minister

EMBARGO NOT WANTED

(Br Telegraph-

INVERCABGILL, Last Night. "The deputation opened up a very wide question when it referred to the embargo on Australian fruit," said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) when replying to a deputation of Invercargill fruiterers. "The question of the importation of citrus fruits from Australia is wrapped up with the whole question of trade relationship betWeen the two countrios," said the Minister. "Oranges and potatoes have certainly played a big part in the negotiations whicb have taken place between the two countries in the past and those issuea are still very live ones.' ' Mr. Sullivan .went on to say that he had had private diseussions with prominent Australians, ineluding representatives of that Government, who had visited New Zealand and, in each case, the Australians had readily admitted that New Zealand had a great deal to support its claim for a more balaneed trade between the two countries. • ' 'The present trade balance is very much in Australia 's favour and the wiping out of the embargo on Australian oranges will not improve that position," said Mr. Sullivan. .The whole question of a trade agreement would, he hoped, be the subject of negotiation between the two countries at an early date. Meantime, the present Government of New Zealand realised that people were entitled to obtaih a greater supply of oranges than they had done in past years. It was for this reason that very greatly increased qu?.ntities of oranges had been permitted to enter N.w Zealand from Australia this year. 7 -deed, tho importations from Australia were far greater last year than they had been for any year during the last seven years. Another point which Ihe Minister said he was giving special consideration to was the supply of citrus fruita to the South Island, which he recognised had been -somSwhat neglected in the past. Increased quantities had been sent to Dunedin and Invercargill during the past season and their raquirements would receive further considoration next season.