SAMOAN BANANAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20472, 25 January 1930, Page 14

SAMOAN BANANAS.

ALLOCATION TO DUNEDIN.

MIS-STATEMENTS ALLEGED

RAILWAY CARRIAGE CHARGES. The criticism made by Mr. A. H. Allen, president of the Denedin Chamber of Commerce, with regard to the allocation of the Samoan bananas brought by tho Maui Pomaro, was yesterday referred to Mr. E. C. Turner, of Turners and Growers, Limited, the contractors for the current year's total output of Samoan bananas. Mr. Turner has just returned from the South, where he supervised the distribution of the Maui Pomare's shipment of fruit.

"The statement credited to Mr. Allen is that only 1050 cases of Samoan bananas were allotted to Dunedin, Mr. Turner said. "It is rather amusing to see these distortions in print before distribution instructions were actually given by mo. The quantity of Samoan bananas sent to Dunedin was 1630 cases, which were all sold through recognised wholesale Dunedin firms, namely, Otago Fruitgrowers, Patterson and Company, Bray Brothers, and Bates and Company, with whom the Auckland houses had been previously dealing, and these firms were not instructed to ask any particular price, but were asked to sell according to market value and condition on arrival. "Another mis-statement is that Samoan bananas are carried by the Railway Department at lower rates than Fiji. In our association with tho New Zealand Railways they have always changed highest imported rates on Samoan bananas, and New Zealand rates on the Niuo bananas. The difference is very great, being over double, and why this should bo is past tho comprehension of tho Auckland firms, unless it is to give the Southerners preference in railway rates, as the South Island, including Wellington, has contracted for all the Niuo bananas. Both Niue and Samoa are under New Zealand control, and why such a great discrimination is shown would probably be worth explanation.

"The Maui Romaic's fruit was disposed of as follows:—Approximately 30 per cent, was sent to Wellington, and the balance to the South Island, through Lvttelton. We aro called on to pay heavy railage charges, and would not have dono this if it had not been considered advisable owing to the ripeness of the cargo. In any case, it must always be borne in mind that the Auckland brokers would send all their fruit to Dunedin if they get more than is obtainable in other centres, but they now have the right to get some for Auckland, which they did not have previously, even

when the market was available

"The president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce failed to mention th;it the Niuo bananas were sold to Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Gore and Invercargill at 9s 6d a case, which is 2s a case less than tho Auckland contract price for Samoan bananas."

DISPOSAL IN THE SOUTH.

ESTIMATE OF RETURN

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] DUNEDIN. Friday.

The shipment of Samoan bananas by the Maui Pomare reached the market on Wednesday, but the fruit was in a mixed condition. The price for sound quality was fixed by the local brokers at 25s a case, and fully 50 per cent, of the shipment was placed at this figure. The balance was auctioned the following day and, the quality being irregular, urices ranged from 5s a case upward. The average price realised should, however, enable the Auckland shippers to come out on the right side.

The Niuo bananas, which aro still under Government control, were also in a. mixed condition. It is understood that the Government will meet the consignees in any loss they may make on the sale of this fruit.