COOK ISLANDS FRUIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18774, 30 July 1924, Page 10

COOK ISLANDS FRUIT.

BEIfTER SERVICE WANTED. ' SYSTEM OF INSPECTION, SIR MAUI ppMARE REPLIES. ':fßS: : ;';^iteC3EAra~WßqiiAL'.; sbporteb.] ' WELLINGTON. Tuesaay. ; lie unsatisfactory condition in which the, Ngakuta's consignment of fruit from the Cook Islands landed in Wellington was the subject of questions to the Minister in charge, Sir Maui; Pomare, in the House of Bepresentatives to-day. Mr. W= J. Jordan (Manukau) asked whether the Minister inspected the fruit on Saturday and what steps he was taking to improve the present unsatisfactory service, Tho 'Ngakuta was built to serve as a collier and there were no arrangements for ventilating the holds. Mr. Jordan read a letter from a Barotongan resident, who stated, the fruit left the Islands in good condition, but was smothered by poisonous gases in the holds. "The sooner the Ngakuta is taken off the trade the better for the fruitgrowers and the consumers," concluded Mr. Jordan. ;

The Minister said ho did not visit the wharves oh Saturday, but the department was fully represented there. Its officers knew the conditions and the matter was receiving the consideration of the Government. Further than that he could not jto at present. It might he that the Ngakuta was not suitable. It had to he remembered, howevf.r, that she had a very rough trip both on her return and in the Islands. Much of the fruit was wet when shipped, which accounted tor a great deal of the trouble, The* Government had no control oyer the weather, unfortunately. Mr. B. Masters (Stratford): Fortunately.,

Sir Maud Pomare: ' Unfortunately. Otherwise we might arrange sunny days in Stratford when they wanted rain. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) had a similar question to ask, but inquired further whether the Minister would issue instructions to the growers as to the best method of packing th.e fruit. Sir Maui Pomare said there was no Reed for further instruction. Two expaxis were in the Islands to see that all Ir aft was packed properly and to inspect $ before it was shipped. The. tests were rigid-.and the officers were doing their work well.

As to tho other part of Mr. 'Eraser's jaestkm referring to an efficient, pi"operlyjquipped and swift steamer, it was " a poser." An insulated ship cost money. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central); Why not use the £100,000 saved owia,g to th<* ( abandonment of the Singapore base? (Government protests.) 4 Sir Maui Pomare: Money saved in that direction cannot come into this)!. We shall have to consider whether the Government is justified in going in for a State service. It would be id<?al if we a properly-equipped fruit bqiAt. Fruit is altogether too expensive owing to its scarcity, and the fruit " ring." . If we could smash up the ring I think we would get cheaper fruit. Mr. Masters; Why don't you do it? The Speaker: The Minister is going beyond the question. Sir Maui concluded that as some members were found recently backing np the fruit "ring" it was difficult to know what to do.