ISLAND TOMATOES

Evening Star, Issue 20610, 9 October 1930, Page 1

ISLAND TOMATOES

FRUIT FLY DANGER DISCUSSED MINISTER DEFENDS IMPORTATIONS [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON. October 8. Representations have been made from time to time that the importation of Cook Island tomatoes to New Zealand should be prohibited during November and December, because such importations spoil the prices of the New Zealand hothouse grown tomato. It has also been suggested that, because of the alleged danger from the introduction of Mediterranean fruit fly to New Zealand, this fruit should not be permitted to enter the dominion at any time. In conversation with your representative to-day, however, Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister for the Cook Islands, pointed out that the quantities of tomatoes entering New Zealand ports from the Cook Islands during November and December are very small, the actual figures for the past two years being as follows: —December, 1928, 24 cases; December, 1929, 38 cases—a total of 62 cases out of a yearly export of 50,784 cases in 1928 and 62,682 cases in 1929. “It is also interesting to note,” said the Minister, “that during the months of November and December the Wellington retail price of hothouse tomatoes are seldom below 2s 6d a pound, and more often 3s a pound, while the Rarotongan tomatoes are valued (for Customs export purposes) at 3s 6d a pound. The Islands supply tomatoes to New Zealand markets at a very reasonable figure during a. period when the price of the New Zealand grown article is prohibitive except to the privileged tow. “ With regard to the question of the danger of introduction of tho Mediterranean fruit fly into New Zealand, this fly (Ceratitis Capitata) does not now nor has it ever been known to exist in the Cook Islands. The only fruit fly known in the Cook Group is Daeus Melanotus, which has a longer life cycle than that of the Mediterranean fly. It ha? never been known to attack tomatoes during the sixteen years that this fruit has been grown in the Group, nor has it ever been known to live for any length of time in a temperate climate. Further, oranges are particularly susceptible to this fly, and, although orange, shipments have been imported into Now. Zealand for very many years, and before any fruit inspection was imposed on this fruit, the Dacus Melanotus has not established itself in New Zealand. . Tho question of the introduction ot tho Cook Islands fruit Ily to New Zealand has been closely investigated by the Agricultural, h-’-Ne-.v Zealand, aiui i-- .nBWu-i.lol* >-<> 'he dominion is not considered a menace. “ The tomato industry has been established in Rarotonga for fllteen ycais, and the industry has become an important part of the exports from tho Group, A largo sum has been invested by -growers in ; clearing and preparing from every bush suitable areas of land; artificial manures and implements have been imported at very much higher prices than are paid in New Zealand ; the cases are more costly on account of the heavy ocean freight; and tho infrequency of steamer calls prevents tho grower from exporting a considerable portion of his C 1 “It will be seen, therefore, that any restriction on the Cook Islands tomato trade would he in tho interests ot neither tho Islands, themselves nor the general public of New Zealand. “ Further, when the Cook became an integral portion of New Zealand the fiscal autonomy of the Islands was surrendered: to this dominion, and there can be 110 justification for imposing restrictions on imports from the Cook Islands any more than there can bo justification for restricting the importation into the North Island of New Zealand of mutton from. Canterbury or. oysters from Stewart Island.”