BANANA TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 167, 18 July 1938, Page 9

BANANA TRADE.

POSITION AT FIJI.

VIEWS OF EXPORTERS,

Fiji exporters were looking to the New Zealand Government for far more generous treatment than they were receiving, stated Mr. W. G. Johnson, of Suva, a member of the Fiji Banana Association, on Saturday, in referring to the fact that the price of 10/3 per case, New Zealand currency, f.o.b. eteamer at Suva, which had been fixed by the New Zealand Government for a trial period of six months, was insufficient.

It was necessary for the Government to pay the growers in Fiji a fair price, said Mr. Johnson. To talk of further reduction would create an unhappy situation, the importance of which might not have engaged the attention of the New Zealand Government beyond that section directly concerned with matters relating to the marketing of fruit. It was safe to say that Fiji exporters were looking for more generous treatment than they were at present receiving and that they hoped that the New Zealand authorities would take into account all the possibilities of the situation when considering the purchasing arrangements in a few months.

Mr. Johnson gave the following as actual costs in Fiji currency for an island packing station requiring auxiliary schooner transport to the export point, maximum capacity 300 cases:—Price to native grower, 4/ a case; cost of case, 1/6; transport, 2/; labour packing and handling, supervision, extra lids, nails, marking, 1/1 J; Government charges, "4}d; making 9/OJ, leaving a profit of ljd to cover capital investment, depreciation and risk of loss through fruit not reaching the steamer in time for shipment.