Fijian Bananas For Japan

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 14

Fijian Bananas For Japan

(NZ Press Association)

AUCKLAND, June 17.

The effect of New Zealand import restrictions on the Fijian banana trade and the possibility of an alternative market being developed in Japan has brought two Fijian officials to New Zealand for talks with Government officials

Mr E R Bevington, the colony's development commissioner. and Mr J. H. Falvey, a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, arrived in Auckland to-

day by sir and will have discussions in Wellington on Wednesday and Thursday Mr Bevington recently visited Japan and returned home with two firm offers to buy on a long-term basis al! the bananas Fiji could supply The Japanese demanded high-quality fruit, but offered higher prices than those now being paid by New Zealand.

Trial shipments have already been sent to Japan by sea and air. Another shipment is planned in three or four months, and small monthly consignments are

likely toward the end at the year.

Mr C. R. Walker, of Veilington, general manager of Fruit Distributors, Ltd, which handles all bananas imported into New Zealand, tonight described the recent developments as a threat to *uture supplies to this country "Unless the Government gives Fiji and Tonga an assured market for a certain quantity of bananas each year." he said, "those islands are likely to look with more favour on the Japanese market,”