H—3oa

The Division has now been given permission to import oranges from the coastal areas of New South Wales, but as the irrigation areas are in a position to ship more fruit than it is possible to find space for it is not the intention to take advantage of this fruit in the meantime except for small experimental shipments which have been received. Supplies from Australia should improve further next year. Arrangements were made with the Jamaican Government for approximately 70,000 cases to be shipped during the season, but on account of a breakdown in condition prior to shipment only two shipments were received, the remaining portion of the purchase being cancelled by mutual agreement. If convenient direct vessels from Jamaica to New Zealand are available next season, together with the expected increased supplies from the Cook Islands and Australia, the total importations should again return to normal.

For purposes of comparison the following figures show the importations from the various sources of supply this year and last:—

(jrRAPEFKUIT In order to conserve as much shipping space as possible for oranges, advantage has not been taken of the full quantity that has been obtainable from Australia, but all that the. Cook Islands have offered has been accepted. During the appropriate season New Zealand can meet its own needs from local production, and every effort is made to avoid importing grapefruit during that particular period.

Importations were :

Pineapples Although, in past years larger importations of pineapples have been made the condition of this fruit recently on arrival from Australia has deteriorated to such an extent that it was recently advisable to refrain from purchasing from this source until shippers can satisfy that they will arrive in saleable order. Doubtlessly unsuitable ships

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Source of Supply. Year ended 30th September, 1 946. Year ended 30th September, 1947. Cases - oentage. Oases. Percentage. Australia Cook Islands Fiji Jamaica 143,288 22,279 902 15,467 78-8 12-2 0-5 8-5 237,422 50,005 45 14,740 78-0 Hi-5 4-9 181,936 302,212

Source of Supply. Year ended 30th September, 1940. Year ended 30th September, 1947. Cases. Percentage. Cases. Percentage. Australia Cook Islands Samoa Jamaica 449 419 o,542 7-0 6-5 86 -r> 9,988 2,722 710 74-4 20-3 5-3 6,410 13,420