ONION BAN LIFTED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 141, 2 July 1937, Page 3

ONION BAN LIFTED

-Preas Association.)

Shortage of Stocks the Cause

(By Telejraph-

GISBORNE, Last Night. Acting on the recommendations of the North and South Island Advisory Comujittees the Government has decided to allow the importation of oniona which must arrive in the Dominion between September 15 and November 20, 1937, stated the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. Lee Martin) this afternoon. The Minister's statement is as follows: "In terms of the Board of Trade (onion) regulations, 1937, the Government has exercised its powers for the regulation of saies and purchases of locally-grown onions and the question of importations has been* given serious consideration. A survey of stocks held in the Dominion and a knowledge of the poor keeping quality of a considerable proportion of locally-grown onions makes it abundantly clear that wholesale stocks will be exhausted, towards the end of August or early in September. It is appaTent thereforo that importations will be necessary to bridge the period from September until the new season's locally-grown produce becomes marketable. After final consideration of all the factors and acting on tfye separate but unanimous recommendations of the North and South Island Advisory Committees set up in terms of the regulations the Government has decided to allow importations of onions which must arrive in the Dominion .between September 15 and November 20, 1937. No permits to import will be necessary, but in order that the Government and the Advisory. Committees m'ay be kept informed of the onion position generally the Government requires iinporters to advise the Departrnent of Agriculture, Wellington, of the total quantity for which orders have been placed by each importer, tho country of origin and the vossel by which the produce is being shipped. "The Government considers that the total quantity of onions necessary to meet the local requirementa from the beginning of September until mid-De-cember is approximately 2000 tons. This information will no doubt be of value lo importers in arranging purchases. In order that importers will be in a position to gauge the market's requirements p.nd thus obviate over-importation the deparfment is issuing a cireular to all merchants* cbncerned outlining the position in regard' to stocks in hand and the monthly consumption of onions."