THE SAMOAN TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17966, 16 December 1921, Page 5

THE SAMOAN TRADE.

QUALITY OF BANANAS. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEWS. The council of the Chamber of Commerce met yesterday, the president, Mr. A. O. Lunn. occupying the chair. It was .decided to nominate Mr. H. W. Hudson and Mr- O. Hutchison for the committee representing the Associated Chambers of Commerce, which is to be asked to advise the Government on matters of taxation. ' 1 The secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce wrote in reply to communications on the matter of Australian dumping in Samoa. He pointed out that New Zealand tariff arrangements had nothing to do with the Samoan tariff, which was imposed under Orders-in-Council. The duty on general goods in Samoa, except such as were free, was 15 per cent, ad valorem if British, and 22i act valorem if foreign. The articles which were the matters of concern were principally flour, biscuits, and tinned heef, and in regard to all these articles the question .of deterioration owing to climatic conditions was ft factor The matter was also complicated by the fact that Australian flour for export was cheaper than that for home consumption. A committee appointed to report on a shipment of bananas stated that it had been mentioned that one cause of the high percentage of inferior fruit was 'hat the plantations had been allowed to go back during the war period, and had not yet recovered their previous standard owing to the lack of European supervision. Another cause wliich militated atrainst the best results being obtained was the system of contracts under which fruit was purchased, and the opinion had been expressed that thig should be abolUhed. It seemed that the remedy for allecred irregularities was largely in the hands of the growers, who, if they wished to place the banana trade with New Zealand on a mc-Te satisfactory basis, would require to give greater care to' their plantations and the selection and oackine of fruit, and a rigid insnection before shipment. IV. report is to be forwarded to the Fiji Chnmber of Commerce. Several members pointed out tbat if central paoking sheds were established the cost of the fruit would be increased considerably* An informal discussion took nlace in regard to popularising ( the Chamber, nmong the sngcesfcions he'ng that the premises should be Enlarged to make *rovtfiion for luncheon 'room and Bittintf rooms. Tt was ment'oned that the ißotary Club would soon outgrow the supper-rooro of the Town Hill, and that it would, probably he prepare?" to co-operate with the Chamber in the establishins of a central meeting-place for business men.