London (Nov. 2)
The orange-starved population of Britain and the nearly-bankrupt citrus growers of Palestine had cause for rejoicing today with the announcement here that for the first time since Italy entered the war in June, 1940, a shipment of 10,000 to 15,000 cases of Palestine oranges and lemons would soon be en route to England. Italy’s surrender and Allied occupation of North Africa has once more opened the Mediterranean to British shipping.
The news that Palestine citrus fruits would soon be on sale at London green-grocers was made by the Ministry of food, which disclosed that the first shipment would leave Haifa shortly, and would be followed by an estimated 500,000 cases in November and December. The imports of oranges and lemons are expected to total 2,000,000 cases by Spring, the announcement said. Oranges have been a rarity in England for the past three years. The occasional shipments that did arrive from the United States or Spain were usually made available only to children. Those adults who managed to secure one paid fabulous prices. The Food Minister never rationed oranges since there just weren’t any available.