NORFOLK ISLAND.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19115, 26 September 1927, Page 9

NORFOLK ISLAND.

TRADE WITH NEW ZEALAND ?

TTHE PRESS Bpeci»l Service.]

AUCKLAND, September 24

"It is a wonderfully fertile place, and when its export trade is properly developed, Auckland should get a bigger proportion of it," said Mr Harvey Turner this morning, on Ins return from Norfolk Island by the Hiuemoa. Mr Turner said that a number of New Zealanders had settled oil the island, and intended to go in extensively for growing produce for export. They believed that there was a splendid opportunity in connexion with citrus fruits and tomatoes. The shipping connexion at present maintained by the Hinemoa to New Zealand, was to be maintained in future by the new motor vessel which the New Zealand Government had procured at Home, and would afford better facilities for. the carriage of island products. The islanders had also steamer connexion with Sydney, and thus had two markets in sight. Air Turner considered it would be somo years before the island reached the point of productivity that was aimed at; but the outlqpk was very bright. With a subtropical climate, fruits and produce grew in profusion, while a fair amount of ruccess was met with in the cultivation of tropical fruits. Bananas realised nearly £1 per case, although the output was small. On the present trip to Auckland the Hinemoa's cargo included new potatoes, beans, and peas, this being indicative of the earlier season as compared generally with New Zealand.