BANANA IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 162, 5 April 1938, Page 16

BANANA IMPORTS

Disapproval Of New ■ System Voiced RAROTONGA PLANTER’S CABLEGRAM By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 4. Strong disapproval of Government control of the importation of bananas, which became effective on the arrival of a shipment of 3000 cases from Fiji by the Niagara to-day, is expressed in a private cablegram received in Auckland from Mr. W. J. Wigmore, one of the largest planters at Rarotonga. In addition to areas at Rarotonga, plantations in the Society Islands are owned by Mr. Wigmore, who has been engaged, in the industry for over 30 years. The cablegram stated that a large majority of growers had refused to ship bananas as they did not approve of the new prices regulations and arbitrary methods of administration. The chief medical officer at Rarotonga is stated to have announced publicly that 75 per cent, of the natives were living in poverty and large growers were selling their supplies of

bananas to relieve the poverty. Commenting on the message, Mr. F. R. Picot, Director of Internal Marketing, said no trouble of this nature had come to his knowledge. He admitted that the quantities coming from Raro-. tonga might be lower in future but this deficiency would be made up with larger-shipments from Fiji and Samoa. He gave a definite assurance that there would be no shortage of bananas in New Zealand after Easter as all available shipping space would be taken in order to ensure ample supplies. There had been an abnormal demand this season owing to the particularly long summer. The fact that there had been a partial strike of some sort at Rarotonga was admitted by Mr. E. C. Turner, of Turners and Growers, Ltd., but full particulars were not available. Only 700 cases had been loaded at Rarotonga by the Matua, which is due to arrive at Auckland on April 18: This shortage, however, would be made up when the vessel called at Tonga, Apia and Suva and the position was not regarded as serious. The cargo brought by the Niagara was carried" on deck as there are no special facilities for the carriage of

fruit. The shipment arrived in fairly good condition but it is not expected to be sufficient to meet the demand until the arrival of the Matua. The fruit was loaded at Suva on consignment, from the Fiji Government to the New Zealand Government. \