Price Of Bananas

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1943, Page 8

Price Of Bananas

(Special) ' AUCKLAND, This Day. Further support for the contentions of those closely allied with the trade and familiar with Island conditions that excessive prices are being paid for bananas by the public has come from Mr J. D. Whitcombe, of Auckland, who. for five years, was fruit inspector for the Tongan Government and for a similar period was in the Customs Department, Fiji. Mr Whitcombe produced two documents stamped by H.M. Customs. Tonga, covering two purchases of bananas and dated November 15, 1942, and October 3. 1942, respectively. In the first the invoice showed that 3/6 a case was paid for two cases of Ton-gan-grcwn green bananas. Added charges were 1/9 for the cost of the case, 3d export duty, and 4/- freight from Tonga to Auckland, making a landed cost of 9/6 a case. Cartage to

a Devonpcrt residence worked out at 1/3 a case, making a total cost to the Auckland purchaser of 10/9. In regard to the bananas bought by Mr Whitcombe in October, these were not bought direct from a planter (as were the others), and cost the Government price of 5/- a case, so that the final cost to him was 1/6 higher, namely, 12/3. Mr Whitcombe has left the Customs' stamped invoices at the “Auckland Star” office, where they can be inspected by anyone interested. For over a year the wholesale price of green bananas has been 25/a case, with prices up to 31/- a case for ripe fruit. Minister’s Reply

When shown the statement on bananas made by Mr. Whitcome today, the Minister for Marketing (Hon. J. G. Barclay) said that he had no further comment to make other than that, as previously stated publicly, the costs of the department are open for investigation.