TRADE IN BANANAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 12

TRADE IN BANANAS

AUSTRALIA AND FIJI QUOTA NOW ARRANGED THE OTTAWA AGREEMENT [FI!OM oun OWN correspondent] SUVA, Oct. 21 Tho publishing of the Ottawa agreement affecting Fiji and the announcement that Australia has agreed to take approximately 4200 cases of bananas a month at a duty of 2s 6d per 100 pounds weight has created considerable satisfaction here. Formerly the duty placed on Fiji bananas by tho Australian Government as a measure of protection for the Queensland and New South Wales fruit amoi#itod to Cs per 100 pounds, which virtually represented an embargo against Fiji bananas. Although 4200 cases a month is a comparatively small quota it will help to rolievo to a certain extent the present overcrowded market, in New Zealand. Shippers point out that although the reduced duty is available only on 4200 cases it might bo advisable on occasions to send double that quantity and adjust tho duty over tho whole shinment. This, however, would depend upon the prices offering in Sydney and Melbourne and upon shipping costs. A meeting of growers and shippers was held last week to discuss the position when the question of sending a representative to Australia with the first shipment to report on conditions was discussed. Considerable opposition to any proposal to allow Fiji bananas into Australia has long boon experienced from Queensland, and it is stated that attempts are now being made from that quarter to prevent Melbourne merchants from stocking tho imported fruit. It is considered locally that tho small shipments now permitted from Fiji will not bo likely to affect tho Australian market to any appreciable extent. In former years Fiji bananas were shipped direct to Australia and in bunches. Now they are shipped in cases, and will most likely be shipped via New Zealand. Under tiicse circumstances it can hardly bo expected that the quality and flavour will be up to the standard of previous years. Many local growers are of tho opinion that the fruit itself is not up to tho standard of previous years and that little fear should be felt by the Australian growers at the prospect of keen competition from Fiji.