PACKING OF FIJI BANANA'S.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 287, 4 December 1930, Page 29

PACKING OF FIJI BANANA'S.

AUCKLAND COMPLAINTS. IMPROVEMENT PROMISED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SUVA, November 22. The Fiji Planters' Association on Wednesday considered a letter from Auckland containing complaints regarding the packing of bananas. All speakers agree that slack packing was a practise that should be condemned, and it was decided that every effort should be made to see that all cases were properly filled. Prior to the Tofua's sailing on Wednesday the Government inspectors chose cases haphazard from the various heaps and weighed them. The cases, as a rule, weighed from 801b to 921b each. Any under 801b were reopened and repacked, so that they would come up to weight. The new regulations regarding loading fruit *on to the Tofua were also discussed. Owing to the fear of the introduction of the rhinoceros beetle from Apia, the steamer is not to'\be allowed to remain in the harbour after sundown. This means that there will be trouble when local shipments revert back to the larger shipments of, say, 20,000 to 25,000, as .the vessel cannot load so, many within the daylight of one day. Yesterday a deputation 'from the association waited upon the director of agriculture to see what arrangements could be made to meet the position. Shippers are desirous of meeting the requirements of the Auckland trade, and Auckland buyers should vfind an improvement in future shipments from Suva. '