TONGAN BANANAS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 105, 27 January 1940, Page 12

TONGAN BANANAS

Reply To Comments By Retired Planter MR. NASH QUOTES PRICES To sell Tongan bananas without loss it was necessary to secure 15/71- ex wharf for every case landed, but there were other important items for which provision must be made, such as internal freight charges, fruit classed on arrival as below grade, and overhead costs, said the Minister of Marketing, Mr. Nash, replying to comments by .Mr. j. F. Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson, who is a retired planter of Vavau, Tonga, said in an interview in Auckland that Hie Government .Marketing Department should take a smaller profit on bananas imported from Tonga. ••Mr. Hutchinson is reported to have said that ‘the island grower gets 5/net for eases which the New Zealand Government sells wholesale to retailers at from £1 to £l/2/6 a case, ex wharf,’” .said Mr. Nash. “‘After allowing 4/. for freight and 1/6 for the case, this is an unwarranted margin.’

“What are the facts? The price paid at. Tonga a packed ease of bananas is !>/-. to which lias to lie added freight and oilier charges amounting to 4/101 a case before they leave the wharf, after \vhich commission, plus overhead costs, occasional repacking and internal freight charges have to l>o met. “During the past. 12 months, with ttie exception of one Christmas shipment, the Government -prices ranged from J5/6 to 1,8/- a ease, ex wharf, pot 20/to 22/6.

“Tlie quota to which Mr. Hutchinson is also reported to have referred is Hie result of an arrangement between the Tongan and Fijian Governments, as are the shipping services. “The loyalty of the Tongans lias never been questioned.” said the Minister. “but Mr. Hutchinson should not use it as the base for misrepresentations in connexion with our purchases from the Kingdom. The Government is continuing its policy of supplying fruit at reasonable prices, after covering the necessary expenses involved,”