Banana Boycott

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 11, 14 January 1936, Page 7

Banana Boycott

Drastic Action by Christchurch Fruiterers

OBJECTION TO MARKETING METHODS

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night.

The Christchurch retail fruiterers decided to-night to buy no more bananas until the present system of marketing Samoan bananas is changed. The decision was made at a meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association to-night. It was agreed that the present stocks of bananas held by the retailers and sub-contractors should be pooled and divided among the members of tho association and sold .as quickly as possible. When this supply has been exhausted it will not be possible for the public to buy bananas from shops owned by members of the association.

It was stated that the South Island Federation was united and there was no possibility of the fruit being dumped in the territory of other associations.

As stated at the meeting- of fruiterers the objection is to the system by which one tenderer obtains control of the whole quota of bananas for Christchurch, the effect of which is that retailers and the public have to pay too high prices. It was the opinion of the retailers that tho prices for bananas this year would be ISs 6d per case which it was stated was 5s 6d too much. The present; system was iniquitous in that it created a monopoly in n staple commodity.