ISLAND FRUIT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 11

ISLAND FRUIT

Rarotongans Seek Consideration A THOROUGH INQUIRY PROMISED A thorough investigation of the importation and sale of fruit in New Zealand is to be made by the Government. The Prime Minister, Hon. M. J. Savage, who is also Minister for the Cook Islands and is looked upon by the islanders as the guardian Of their interests, said yesterday that the people of Rarotonga proposed to petition Parliament during its coming session. He added that tbe Government intended to go thoroughly into the whole question. "The matter will come before Parliament," stated Mr. Savage, "and anyone who has anything to say about the fruit trade can come forward then. Our job is to find out the facts of the position, and we will be glad of any evidence that can lie placed before us. There has been talk about the setting up of a fruit board. In fact, it is about tho setting up of such a board that the Itarotongaus are coming to New Zealand. The position is, however, that there is no use in setting up a board without investigating the position. It can be done, but that may not be a solution of tbe trouble. Mr. Savage said that the fruit trade had not been satisfactory for years. •We are not very far away from the Cook Islands. They have the fruit, aud we want it but cannot get it. That is most unsatisfactory. For that matter Australia isn’t very far away, either. They, too, have fruit we want and can’t get. And then there’s our own country. We can grow plenty of fruit, but the growers have not been encouraged. It will be our job to see that they are.

"The people are entitled to have an ample supply of fruit, and we intend to see that they get it. It will be worthwhile for those who know something about the fruit trade to come forward when Parliament discusses this matter. They will get an opportunity to come before the committee that will examine tbe whole position. That will give their opponents an opportunity of cross-examining them. We want to find out the true position and see that justice is done.”