Southerners Fear New Lemon Duties AUCKLAND TROTTING ACCEPTANCES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 169, 7 October 1927, Page 13

Southerners Fear New Lemon Duties

AUCKLAND TROTTING ACCEPTANCES

PROTESTS IN HOUSE THICK SKINS AND THIN | (THE SPAT'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. ■ 'T'HE increased duty which the | Government proposes to imj pose on imported lemons, al- ! though gratifying to the growers in the Auckland and North Auckland districts, apparently has caused some concern among some sections of the community, and the fear is expressed by the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, member for Invercargill, that the public will suffer unduly by having to pay something like 12s 6d a case extra for lemons. It is pointed out by the Minister, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, however, that the increased duty of Id a lb on lemons represents approximately one-fifth of a penny a lemon. The duty was therefore not considered to be high in relation to selling value, which ranged generally between Is and 2s 6d a dozen. “Representations were made both in favour of and in opposition to an increase in the duty imposed by the general tariff on lemons,” the Minister said. “The imports of lemons come mainly from Australia, Italy and U.S.A. Importations in recent years have been approximately equal to the commercial production of lemons in the Auckland Province. New Zealand production is increasing and has practically doubled during the past five years. “The supply of locally-produced lemons can be increased appreciably. Improved organisation of the trade is already assisting in the development and control of the supply, and in regard to grading, curing and packing. The supply is likely to increase as the result of the development of new orchards also. “Importations have been chiefly to Wellington and South Island ports, the Auckland Province being almost entirely met by local production. It is by no means proven that the New Zealand-grown lemons cannot reasonably meet the demands of the Southern markets in the matter of keeping quality. Better organisation of the trade should assist in this difficulty.” IMPORTED PREFERRED During the debate frequent mention was made of the duty on lemons, Mr. D. G. Sullivan declaring that if the best lemons were produced in the North Island they never found their way South, where the imported article was found to be better in quality and nutriment. While Mr. Sullivan was speaking on lemons, he was reminded by a fellow member not to become sour. “Well/’ ho replied, “the Auckland lemons are too sour and bitter for the people in the South.” He had not seen a decent lemon that had come from the Auckland Province, although he was quite prepared to support the industry if it were shown that the Northern district could produce satisfactory lemons at a satisfactory price. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle: We in the South get the duds. Mr. Lysnar: Tou are bad purchasers there. M.r. Sullivan: The thickest skins come from Poverty Bay. It seems that there has been no attempt to make a favourable impression in the South. Mr. Atmore’s contention was that the industry required proper handling, in order that every warm place in the Dominion could be made to produce lemons sufficient for the requirements of the country. PENALISING THE CONSUMER Sir Joseph Ward said that he had been surprised at the extent of the outcry from all parts of the Dominion at the high duty on imported lemons, the contention being that for six months of the year New Zealand growers could not produce sufficient fo.r the internal requirements of the country. One correspondent had represented the position as being “total prohibition,” and had alleged that the Government was prepared to forsake the substance for the shadow in this particular instance by penalising the consuming public. “Why tax the food that is required by such a large number of sick people in this country?” asked Sir Joseph. “Look at the distance from Auckland where the lemons are grown to Dunedin. How many people have asked for this duty on lemons? Did the commission investigate the conditions in the North Auckland district? Have they inquired into how many are used in our public hospitals? Mr. J. A. Lee: We can grow them right enough. Sir Joseph: I know, but it is said that at times they are not so good as those that are imported. Why; if duties equivalent to this were imposed upon people getting their living on the land, we would not be able to afford anything. Mr. Stewart suggested that the duty should be 2d in the flush of the season, and Id at other times. Mr. Sullivan read a letter from Auckland merchants, who had quoted 12s 6d a bushel case for lemons before the carrying of the tariff resolutions, and now quoted 19s 6d, so that the Christchurch price would be 255. It was obvious that if the intention of the increased duty was to encourage the producers and protect the market for Auckland lemons, it was not going to be done. Auckland lemons with thick skins and little juice would not be acceptable to Southern consumers. A GROWING INDUSTRY The Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, sought to justify the protection of the lemon-growers, and said that much trouble was occasioned by growers who were not experienced in handling the fruit. Many were relying upon lemon-growing for a living and a certain measure of protection was considered to be only a fair thing in order to encourage the establishment of the industry. If people knew the excellent quality of New Zealand lemons, and the reasonable price, they would never think of buying the outside fruit. “We are right at this point,” he said, ‘where the lemon-grower, particularly in Auckland, can supply the full requirements of New Zealand.” Mr. M. J. Savage, Auckland West, displayed enterprise, and announced that he had telegraphed the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, who had replied that 90 per cent, of the lemons used in the institution were New Zealand grown.

THE acceptance* for the Auckland Trotting Club's Spring Meeting will be published in a late edition of THE SUN to be issued about 5.30 this afternoon. v t -e -if -4- v