CITRUS FRUIT DUTIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 660, 11 May 1929, Page 5

CITRUS FRUIT DUTIES

GROWERS TO ASK FOR PROTECTION LARGE NEW ZEALAND CROP Called to consider a letter from the Commissioner of Customs, the council of the New Zealand Citrus Fruit Growers’ Association met in the Employers’ Assocation rooms yesterday afternoon, Mr. F. W. House presiding and Mr. G. A. Green acting* as secretary. The letter said that the commissioner would take evidence in Wellington on May 23 concerning the necessity for a foreign duty on lemons and it was decided that the council should be represented. Messrs. Potts and Izard (Auckland) and Benjamin and Montford (Tauranga) were appointed as a committee to give evidence in vVellington. In view of the large crop of lemons in New Zealand this year it was decided to urge, the full foreign duty for the whole period. It was also decided to bring the whole matter before the Prime Minister, the Minister of Customs and the Minister of Agriculture. Reference was made at the meeting to the very extensive plantings of citrus fruits made during the last two years and the large number of trees coming into bearing. The meeting discussed the question of the supply of “poor-man” oranges and of the overseas competition in sour oranges and determined upon the Governmen the necessity for a small duty.