FRUIT AND HEALTH

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 85, 27 April 1937, Page 11

FRUIT AND HEALTH

T etegrap h — Pr ess A ssociation . )

Minister Condemns Orange and Potato Duel RECIPROCAL TRADE

(Bv

INVEROARGILL, Last Night. The need for bttirrr supplies of oranges in New Zealand was stressed by the Mayor of Riverton, Dr. N. G. Trotter, when addressing the Minister of Lands, Hon. F. Langstone, at a civic reception to-night. The Minister, in Ihis reply, said that arrangements were in train for receiving supplies from the Cook Islands, and it was hoped also to arrange for reciprocal trade with Australia so that supplies could be obtained lVom the Commonwealth; The Mayor said that as & doctor he was vitally interested in maintaining the health of the community. It was well known that citrus fruits played an important part in maintaining health. • There was an a bundance of oranges in Australia, but there should be no nece3sity. for shortage wihile there were plenty near at hand. The Government was interested in eneouraging physical culture, but he asserteA thal little could be done without adequate supplies of the 'important vitamin C represented by citrus fruits. The Minister said the Government was dealing with the problem. Mr. S. J . Sinith, secretary of the Cook Island group, had been sent to the Cook Islands to endeavour to make suitable arrangements for supplies of fruit that would be Satisfactory to islanders and consumers. It was necessary to see that oranges were landed and. marketed in New Zealand under the best arrangement possible.

He also hoped tlxat the day was not far* distant' when reciprocal trade could , be arranged with Australia. There was uo reason why. there should be a deart.h of oranges here, bccause 'New Zealand waa friglxtened of Mediterranean fly, or that there should be a shortage of potatoes in Australia when there plenty here, because they did not likc scabby blight. It was the aim of the Government to try to arrange for trade between the two countries to be as even as possible.