ONION EMBARGO.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1924, Page 3

ONION EMBARGO.

U FI.LINGTDN. July 21 Onions are likely to be dear in New Zealand before the local crop comes into the markets. The cause is found in the absolute prohibition ol imports from the I’nited States because ol tile prevalence of foot and inntlth disease in Mime States. It has long been eiistniiiarv for New Zealand to draw supplies I nun California to arrive here in September, and considerable orders have already been sent to shippers there. The first parcels were to leave tor New Zealand next month. Now not an onion can come in trom Calilornia. The “Post” is inolrmed that it has been represented to the lion M’. Nosvorthy. Minister of Agriculture, that the ITiited States authorities are prepared to give a certificate ol freedom from disease of onions shipped to New Zealand, hut that he has declined to accept such certificates. Arrangements could be made to have such certificated onions fumigated on arrival, blit l!.e Minister will not permit them to come in, notwithstanding that it has been represented by an inijKirter that the attitude of the '.Minister i- inconsistent. inasmuch as seeds trom Kugland. where foot and mouth disease is prevalent in a more or less severe form, are admitted into and put into the soil of New Zealand, and that while the State ol Western Australia is in fee ted and onions may not he imported thence they are permitted to come in from Australia, k wither, straw, which is used lor packing and is under suspicion as a conveyer of the disease, is admitted from F.llglaud, although it must be burnt practically immediately after unpacking. The organism responsible for the disease is said to have a life of not more than six to ten days, but from their point of production in California to arrival here a period of twenty-eight days would elapse. Another merchant, though seriously inconvenienced hv the embargo, was not prepared to say that the Minister of Agriculture was wrong in taking precautions against so calamitous a disease. "However." he added, "we shall he getting onions trom British Columbia, which is dean. They will !>e 10 to oO per cent dearer ihaii California. Ido not know if they are as good, better or worse, not having handled them before. We -ball, too, get onions from Australia, hut they will be dear. because they require much picking over at this time of tlu year. \ regret the embargo and shal suiter by it. hut it seems to me to he unavoidable. Too much is at stake it New Zealand to take any chances in r ease of this sort.