FRUIT EMBARGO

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1933, Page 8

FRUIT EMBARGO

AUSTRALIAN ANXIETY. FURTHER- ACTION LIKELY. SYDNEY, February. 16. There is ample evidence of considerable anxiety in Australia at the failure to reach a settlement with New Zealand over the Dominion’s embargo on tiie importation of Australian fruit. Ma ny interests arc feeling the effects which have followed the drastic action taken by New Zealand, and it is regretted on many sides that the trade rein cions between the two countries are not sufficiently friendly to enable a quick adjustment of the matters in dispute. It would bo useless to disguise the fact that there is considerable jealousy in the matter of trading, and it is felt here that the Dominion Government has been misled by New Zealand interests which see in the Australian measures against fireblight a fiscal move. Australia holds that fireblight must be prevented, at all costs, from reaching Australia, and it it recalled that New Zealand itself has taken action in the past to prevent the extension cf this serious disease from one province to another. If this was necessary, it is argued, surely Australia is entitled to do what it deems necessary to prevent the spread of the disease across the Tasman: Sa. If fireblight was non-existent in New Zealand Australia would provide an open door.

It is officially explained that the Australian embargo is being continued ■at the earnest request of all the fruitgrowers in every state. An assertion from New Zealand that no negotiations have taken place.has caused a surprise, described in one quarter as “painful.” The Minister for Health ■ Mr Man-) said that undoubtedly there had been negotiations, and on January 18 a comprehensive letter was sent to the Prime Minister of Now Zealand by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr Lyons). New Zealand had been asked to reconsider the position, but no foply had been received. The federal Government at its meeting i' l Sydney next week would go into the whole matte once again.

The Minister for Trade said that conciliatory efforts had always come up against the real difficulty—the danger of introducing the dreaded fireblight if New Zealand fruit was allowed to enter Australia. He hoped that the position was capable of an early adjustment.