ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 9

ISLAND FRUIT TRADE.

PINEAPPLES AND BANANAS.

SHIPMENT -FOE CANADA.

ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR.

[FROM OUR own CORRESPONDED.] SUVA. Nov. 17. Fiji is a much larger and richer country than people in the Dominions think. The group is larger than the West Indian Colonies, and.the huge valleys of the interior of the two larger islands are not yet touched by the plough. These valleys will in time grow anything. This year oats have been grown, and with filled heads, within 10 miles of Suva.

A large British syndicate with over £500,000 capital, has decided to go into the pineapple growing and canning business, and preliminary negotiations have been entered into with the Fiji Government. ■ In addition to the British people the Dominions Canneries, Ltd., a huge concern in Canada has asked that a trial or sample shipment of the fruit be sent to them. To-day this was done by the Government who shipped by the Niaagra 50 cases of choice pines, 32 cases of the smooth-leaf Cayenne variety, and 18 cases of the Ripley. The former ran from to 71b., and the latter from to 51b. each. They were carefully packed in picked sisal hemp, and looked an ideal sample as they went into the ship's slings. In his address to the great chiefs of Fiji, last week the official opening of their annual council or Bose Vaka Tll- - held at the ancient capital of Bau, the Governor, Sir Cecil Rodwell, made some interesting references to thej)a,nana industry. He said: "Another industry with which you are concerned is the growing of the bananas for export. Those of you who may be engaged in it will know that the quantities of bananas sent away from Fiji are much less now than formerly. Conditions, however, as to markets overseas are likely to improve, and it is possible that arrangements may be made for the carriage of bananas to Canadian markets. This will only bs possible when it is known that the quantity of fruit available is sufficient to justify the expenditure involved in Bending ships from Canada to Fiji to take our fruit away. Not only must the quantity be sufficient, but it will be necessary by cultivation to improve the quality of your fruit. '

" I urge those of you 'who live in banana-growing districts to double your efforts in the growing of. bananas so that if the opportunity comes you will be able to seize it and to profit by it. The establishment of banana-packing stations has already ben justified, and reports from New Zealand indicate a decided improvement in the ; quality of the fruit, but further improvement is necessary if Fiji is to earn the reputation it deserves as a frudt exporting country. You live in a country richly endowed by nature. You should make fullest use of it if you can." v;. ~ - ,

As the natives are the greatest producers of bananas in Fiji at the present time, the Governor's remarks must have an important bearing in stimulating what at present is an industry which is in sore travail. It certainly requires & < great deal of bolstering and improvement at the moment. ' ■[-,