RAROTONGA ORANGE TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11539, 26 November 1900, Page 6

RAROTONGA ORANGE TRADE

CAPTAIN BROUN'S VIEWS.' With a view of ascertaining th« views of Captain Broun, the Government entomologist, on the question "I of the Rarotonga orange trade,- about which so much las been said of late, a Hkrai» reporter waited upon, that gentleman on Saturday. "Prices cannot be remunerative," said the. captain in answer to a question en this point, " because a great deal of fruit sent to agents in Auckland is, when landed here, found to he so badly infested with scale that the skin of the orange can hardly be seen. The wonderful thing is that people here can be found to buy such stuff at all. ; Probably they pay little more than the cost of the freight and agent's commission, leaving little if anything for the natives. It also happens that very often in many lots of oranges one-half are more or less; rotten or bruised when landed here, and in such instances the damaged oranges prevent any profit being made on the sound fruit. If the natives sent only clean, '"- sound, wellpacked fruit, even if they sent half the quantity, they would! certainly find it much more profitable to themselves. ' I have frequently repeated these statements to agents here, and asked them to explain the matter to the native shippers. Colonel Gudgeon is reported, to have said that he thought it very funny that there should be any inspection of the fruit here. He may think it funny, but thousands of New Zealand fruitgrowers and farmers know only too well that it had become absolutely necessary. It seems strange that an officer paid by the New Zealand Government should scoff at the laws framed by that Government." 5 "Colonel Gudgeon said there had been complaints about the condemning" of* 500 cases of oranges owned by natives, while 1500 cases owned by a private firm were passed, although they all came from -the same plantation. Could you explain matter?" Yes the 1500 cases were carefully selected at the Islands, and the ; natives', oranges were condemned because they were found to contain fruit fly. Perhaps it is unnecessary" to say that fruit is only condemned as the result of inspection, and private firms or traders, or 'anything else, have nothing to do with the matter. Private firms are very particular about their fruit. Their agents at the Islands refuse to take any scale-infested or bad oranges, so that when landed here, the oranges are usually found in gcod order, and often in splendid condition. ' Such lots, therefore, Cannot be condemned by an inspector, not even to please Colonel Gudgeon himself. Colonel Gudgeon speaks of the Queensland fruit fly, and says he can afford to laugh at it. That, however, is a thing that most other people cannot afford to do. Moreover, he seemed to think that was the only one, whereas in reality five different species are known. Government officers are prohibited from replying to attacks mads upon them in newspapers, and, knowing this, people will be able to form their own conclusions as to the truth- : fulness of such statements, and more particularly insinuations. If direct malicious statements are published a Government officer would, of course, apply to the Supreme Court for substantial redress, but in the case of carefully-worded inuendoes he can only treat them with contempt."

" Do you anticipate that the fruit fly will spread, Captain Broun?" " Yes, I think it must. 1 have advised some of the fruit importers, not to bring fruit from islands where the pest has been discovered, or, if it be a large island, to clear off the infested orchards. The worst lot I have had to condemn was shipped from Tongatabu. It was a large consignment, and the fruit was dreadfully bad. The small lots that came from Rarotonga have not been so badthat is, the fly has not spread so much there yet. Of the condemned Island! fruit, four lots have come from Rarotonga, one from Tongatabu, and one lot oi mangoes from Vavau." *