N.Z. FRUIT EMBARGO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4847, 1 July 1925, Page 3

N.Z. FRUIT EMBARGO.

AMERICAN ACTION RESENTEDi "TIME TO HIT BACK.” Considerable concern lias been occasioned amongst fruitgrowers isi the Dominion by the action of the United States Agricultural Department in placing an embargo upon New Zealand fruit. This was brought about by the United States Government prohibiting the importation of fruit from all countries possessing the Mediterranean fruit fly, and placing New Zealand on the list of countries so affected. -This action is all the more resented on account of the fact that the Mediterranean fruit fly is unknown in the Dominion. ' At • the annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation recently the following remit was submitted by the executive: ‘‘That the Government be- asked to put a total embargo on American fruit importations.” , A delegate remarked that United States fruit growers had openly boasted that they intended to capture our English fruit trade, and drive Australia and New Zealand from the marked. - ■ “It is time we took a decided stand upon this matter,” declared Mr A. M. Robertson (Hawke’s Bay). “We are paying the .United States a huge interest bill, and are getting deeper into her debt by importing thousands ■of pounds’ worth -of motoiycars annually. And yet this is the way she treaty us. It is high time that we hit back, and told the United States bluntly to clear out of New Zealand. It is pretty certain that the Argentine will follow the United States’ lead in prohibiting the importation oi New Zealand fruit.” The president, Mr T. 0. Brash, said that the New Zealand Government had made strong protests against the prohibition of the importation of New Zealand fruit into the United States, and had asked the English Government to make representations upon the matter. Mr H. Turner (Otago) questioned if it was wise to take any action until they found what would be the outcome of the : protest from the British Government. If they were to take precipitate action it .might bring retaliatory measures. The remit was withdrawn.