Talks On Banana Production

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 18

Talks On Banana Production

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 28.

Fruit Distributors, Ltd., had always accepted all the bananas available for export from Rarotonga and had provided the regular market which the authorities in the Cook Islands considered should be available for their banana production, the general-manager (Mr C. R. Walker) said today.

He was replying to remarks made by Mr Albert Henry, leader of the Cook Islands Party, in Wellington.

“In 1954 the company advised the Department of Island Territories that it was prepared to purchase any bananas of the proper export standard that were available for any ship that may call at Rarotonga,” Mr Walker said. “If there was no space available to ship the bananas the

company was prepared to pay for the frpit on the beach and take the responsibility for it there. “Unfortunately, even this offer did not provide an incentive to the growers to produce fruit for the market and, after five years, the total quantity shipped in the year 1959 was 641 cases. Offer Withdrawn

“As banana production had increased enormously in other territories, particularly Samoa, the offer to Rarotonga had to be withdrawn, but the company has continued to take all the bananas offered to it from that source as it has always done since its inception.

“As far as prices are concerned, the company is not officially aware of the price paid to the grower as it purchases the friut from the Department of Island Territories, and the landed cost at wharf in Auckland is 35s 6d a case: With the additional freight that the company pays to distribute the fruit to areas as far south as Invercargill, the actual cost of the fruit is approximately 45s a case. “However, we have had constructive discussions today with Mr Henry on all matters in relation to the Cook Islands’ fruit industry and in particular in regard to the development of banana production on the island of Aitutaki,” he said.