Bananas May Be Grown In Islands

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 5

Bananas May Be Grown In Islands

“The Press” Special Service

WELLINGTON, May 25

A proposal that the island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands should develop the production of bananas on a commercial scale for shipment to New Zealand has been made to the Department of Island Territories by Fruit Distributors Ltd., which is responsible for New Zealand’s banana imports.

The general manager of the company (Mr C. R. Walker), in a letter to the department, said: “The prospects for the future supply of bananas to New Zealand is under constant review by our board of directors, particularly in the light of the steadily growing population.

“New Zealand requires a regular supply of bananas, but a regular supply cannot be guaranteed when a large number of small growers are involved.

“In seeking additional supplies, our board considers that the island of Aitutaki is probably the best-situated of all

I the Cook Islands to develop i a large banana planting {scheme, and if such a scheme were developed it would be of great value to the island's economy.” Mr Walker said that if bananas were developed in Aitutaki it would be necessary ito aim for a minimum of 500 acres, and the fruit would have to be grown under expert management and as a commercial proposition. He asked the department to advise the Government of the Cook Islands of the company’s interest in the scheme so that negotiations could be started ito bring it to fruition.