BANANAS FROM FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18458, 23 July 1923, Page 9

BANANAS FROM FIJI.

"RUBBISH" IN SHIPMENTS. BUYERS TAKING ACTION. CO-OPERATIVE , PROPOSALS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] /.< • '6--1 :■•:: SUVA. July 14. i: At a meeting of the shippers and buyers of bananas on Wednesday, an important discussion took place on the question of trying to put the Fiji banana back into the high place it used to hold in the Dominions. The reports from the fruit inspectors both in Auckland and in Suva were none too nattering, and in each case strong comment was made on the continued presence of small fruit, dca>dbed' as "rubbish," in the recent shipments. Some shipments were reported as of excellent quality, so that the presence of rubbish can only be due , to carelessness and not necessarily be- ! cause of any ; all-round poorness of quality. ■'■'■ ■■ ■: It is true that thßre is not too much fruit, of , any kind, available just now, but there is no excuse for this continual complaint of rubbish being slipped in among better class fruit. The association took action on Wednesday by appointing two sub-committees, both of which may materially affect the' future of the industry. The members decided that it would be much to the advantage of buyers if, instead of six or seven launches, and outfits going up each river to { buy, these buyers agree that only: one man go up and buy, that the the fruit so bought be divided among the buyers 1 on the basis of their average shipments for 1923. This would effect a saving of some 2s per case, and make all the' difference between a doubtful venture and a profitable one. It was also; decided to have a conference with a,' view of considering all' the ; aspects of the '■■ business, to see if some drastic improvements cannot be made in the quality ; all round of. the fruit sent out of the. colony. One speaker said that when they had cleaned up at this end they would have to consider some plan of economising by combining at the Auckland end, and if possible, selling through on a agent only. This would result in a considerable* saving. One member suggested a co-operative buying association, and the. committee will consider the possibilities of this idea.