MYTHICAL FRUIT

Shannon News, 2 November 1928, Page 1

MYTHICAL FRUIT

LEMONLESS SQUASH. ;

CITRUS GROWERS' CRUSADE,

/'The future of the citrus industry depended largely on fruit drinks; in California 50 per cent.'of the crop was absorbed;in that manner.'? ' : This quotation from the report of an address delivered in Melbourne to the Australian Citrus Growers? AsSoci- 1 ations' Conference, by a delegate (Mr. B. S. B. Cook) K indicates why, citrus growers in Australia have ..entered oh a crusade to sec that fruit -drinks are genuinely made from fruit —at any; rate so far as citrus 'fruits', are concerned. Already there'-have been prosecutions of vendors of lomdnless lemon squash, and there is talk of compelling orange-, ado and lemonade to become: fruity or change their names. "There «is no, lemon jui,cc in - -lemonade, '' complains Mr Cook.. Part of the crusade!; is an enormously stimulated . (or simulated)' ■ interest in dietetics by Australian fruitr -growers. They have all- become .dietitians and purists' at one stroke. J Reporting proceedings ,at th# last meeting of the Victorian Health Commission (chairman, Dr. Robertson),: a Melbourne paper states: /'Arising out of the prosecution of certain aer|ted water manufacturers bj- the Preston Council recently under-section 65 (3) of the Victorian Food and Drug Regulations, when fines were imposed on O.T.,'Ltd., aiuV Marc hant. ond,Co., the 'chairman stated that- a deputation of, aerated water' manufacturers had requested that the department issue a direction to the .various municipalities that the : manufacturers be allowed reasonable time to label correctly an aerated drink, illegally labelled as'lemon squash,' before action be taken to prosecute them. The manufacturers asked for the assistance of the department in preparing labels to conform with the 'regulations. They wouldj submit new labels "and .samples of the products to the department. .Dr. Robertson stated that in the new regulations it was provided that any drink called a 'squash' must contain fruit squash. This, in addition to being a help to the fruit •industry,, obviously provided for a better drink. He had informed the deputation that the .commission had no authority to ask municipalities to over-;

look an act of Parlia'ment. It was a travesty to call a mixture of oil of. lemons and sugar lemon squash. The commission decided to examine the new labels when these were prepared, and to.assist the manufacturers to describe the" product;, in .compliance with the. regulations." ■ At the citrus-growers' conference the litigation on'the subject was referred to, and it was resolved that the law should be strengthened to prevent ttie\ public-being deceived .by misleading labels. ■''■.' I

Gratification was expressed at what the Victorian Department of* Railways has done in the way, of promoting sales of genuine fruit'drinks."