FRUIT EMBARGO

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1932, Page 7

FRUIT EMBARGO

OPINION OF TRADERS.

ORANGES AND PINE APPLES,

AUCKLAND, December 16

An urgent meeting of the Auckland Retail Fruit Traders’ Association .was held to-day to consider the embargo imposed on Australian fruit imports, and the following resolution was carried.

“That this Association views with concern the decision of the Government to place an embargo on the importation of Australian fruits, namely, oranges, mandarines, and pines, since it will deprive retailers of a considerable portion of their business, and also deprive 90 per cent of the people of this country of the opportunity ot buying fruit foods which are necessary for their health.”

The resolution will be forwarded to the Prime Minister and to the Minister for Customs. AN IMPORTER’S VIEW.

A prominent Auckland importer said the immediate effect 0 f the embargo would be the stoppage of supplies 01 oranges, cherries, passions, and in a small degre.l apricots. He said that each week there were 4000 to 5000 cases of fruit imported into Auckland, while there Were large quantities landed lit Wellihgton, a portion of which was sent on to Christchurch. There were also shipments landed in Dunedin and Christchurch from South Australia. The embargo would, effect also such fruits as mandarins, pineapples, and in a small degree plums. Tre most serious aspect of the mattter was the embargo on oranges, as these were considered a health food. Not many vegetables would be seriously affected, with the exception of cucumbers, and, possibly, onions, which latter came into the country in moderate quantities. “The embargo on oranges is really serious,” be said, “as we are totally dependent on Australian imports here for our supplies. Californian oranges are not worth while importing, as the tariffs are practically prohibitive. Island oranges are seasonal, and we cannot expect these until April. The embargo was justified on small fruits, which wore grown successfully in New Zealand.” CAUSE AND EFFECT. FAMINE IN CITRUS FRUITS. WELLINGTON, December 16. “Personally, I think the Government has gone too far,” said a prominent importer when invited to discuss the efEect of the embargo on Australian fruit. “It seems that the embargo will cause a famine in citrus fruits which cannot possibly come from ally country but America. If the embargo is Coll- 1 tinned, he will he a brave In an who will continue importing from America.

A ship is just about to leave there for Now Zealand, and it is highly im» probable that shipments by that vessel can arranged for in time. Apart from transport costs there is the high cost of (on version. Naturally any American fruit has to be sold at a ; hi Hi price, and consequently it lias a 'limited market.

“It seems to> me that the Government has been paying too much attention to the talk of some small growers. In saying that, it has to be remembered' that factories have been iniporing pulp and will continue to import it, to the deriment of raspberries and similar fruits. Pulp will still be admitted, so the embargo will not benefit the small growers. That point is important. Supposing we have anoutbreak of influeijca or some such epidemic, where are our citrus fruits to come from?”