N.I. Oranges
p. 38 · Read in the full issue
Two Direct Shipments To New Zealand
AT the request of the Administrator of Norfolk Island, the K.P.M. vessel Maetsuycker called at N.I. on July 12 to lift 2,400 cases of oranges for the Auck land market. Owing to rough weather only 630 cases could be loaded.
Arrangements were then hurriedly made between the Administration and Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd. to divert the steamer Morinda to Auckland. She picked up 1,600 cases of oranges and, instead of proceeding to Vila and other New Heb rides ports, left on July 13 for New Zea land. From Auckland she resumed her voyage to Vila.
This was the first occasion for several years that direct shipments of N.I. fruit had been made to New Zealand.
Officials of the Royal Packet Naviga tion Co. in Sydney said that a call at Norfolk would not be made regularly by their ships, although requests for this had been made by N.I. residents. This
special call had been made solely to as sist the Norfolk Island fruit-growers to get their produce to N.Z., where there was a shortage of oranges.
Normally, both the Maetsuycker and the Van Rees pass within 40 miles of Norfolk Is. on their way to Auckland from Noumea, New Caledonia.
Saving N.Z. From Fruit Fly
Menace
A proclamation in the Commonwealth Gazette on July 8 prohibited the impor tation of Australian citrus into Norfo'k Is. It was explained officially that the ordinance which relates also to certain other fruits, had been issued to eliminate the danger of introducing Mediterranean fruit fly into N. 1.. from whence it mieht be passed on to N.Z. if further fruit ship ments are made in the future.
New Zealand several years ago became alarmed at the menace of the fruit fly and placed an embargo on Australian citrus fruit. Norfolk was included in this category and a valuable fruit trade be tween N.I. and Auckland was wiped out.
Though the Commonwealth has strongly maintained that N.Z. faces no danger, the embargo has not been completely lifted.
Apparently the new regulation is de signed to reassure N.Z. that fruit fly is being prevented from being introduced into N.I. The Commonwealth seems anxi ous to foster an export citrus fruit trade to New Zealand from Norfolk, which can not find a profitable market for its pro duce in Australia.