PROTEST FROM FIJI

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 10

PROTEST FROM FIJI

N.Z. Restrictions

On Bananas iNZ Press Association—Copvrtoati (Rec. 8 p.m.) SUVA, January 9. The Governor of Fiji today telegraphed urgent representations to the New Zealand Government on the effect of import restrictions on Fiji’s banana industry. Banana production is almost entirely in the hands of Fijians, many of whom have practically no other source.bf cash income. The effect of the restrictions will be to reduce exports in 1951 to about half those in 1957.. The quota has been fixed at the 1958 value less 25 per cent In 1956, the crop was severely reduced by floods. The effect at the quota was accentuated by a price rise in 1957. Largely as a result of constant, urging of Fruit Distributors Ltd, sole buyers of Fiji bananas in New Zealand, the Department of Agriculture, Fijian authorities and co-operative organisations have encouraged planting of bananas ' ■ not only in the customary areas of south-eastern Viti Levu but also on the other islands of Vanua Levu. Kadavu, Vatulele and Moala. Special shipping arrangements . were entered into. The Fijian ' Banana Ventures Co-operative Society, responsible for about half of the exports, has built sawmills ' to produce the cases needed for an expected increase in the ‘ quantity of fruit sent overseas. Fruit Distributors had given an 1 assurance of an almost unlimited J market in New Zealand. No * alternative market is readily J available.

The Australian market has been closed for many years as a result of pressure by Queensland growers. Although some experimental shipments have been made to Canada, no large-scale development has taken place mainly because of the assurance that New Zealand would take all the fruit which could be produced.