CITRUS FRUIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1938, Page 7

CITRUS FRUIT

EXPORT TRADE FROM FIJI KILLED. NEW ZEALAND REGULATIONS CRITICISED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. “They have killed our citrus trade,” said Mr W. G. Johnson, of Suva, who arrived at Auckland by the Matua this morning, when referring to the New Zealand Government control of fruit importations. Mr Johnson explained that the Government’s restrictions were impracticable and therefore exports of citrus fruit to the Dominion from Fiji had ended half through the past season. “Those connected with the industry in Suva are most dissatisfied,” said Mr Johnson. “Up till the time I left Suva, no account sales or payment on account of a shipment of citrus from Suva on April 28 had been received. There has not been a word or a scratch of a pen to indicate whether or not it was in good condition or what price it brought. Under the former method of shipment to the regular fruit merchants in Auckland, shippers could, if they desired, draw funds from the local banks directly the fruit was shipped, and the remainder of the proceeds were received by the first return mail. The average shipper is not in a financial position to wait indefinitely for payment.”