NATIVE FRUIT COMPANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18676, 4 October 1922, Page 5

NATIVE FRUIT COMPANY

A RAROTONGAN VENTURE. (From Oce Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. October 3. The formation of a company at Rarotonga for the marketing of fruit grown by natives is mentioned in the annual report on the Cook Islands. The report states that in January last a number of natives who had assisted the Administration with repair work on the roads asked in return to bo assisted with their fruit export. This was agreed to and a company was formed under the control and general superintendence of Mr E. A. Reid, with the books and accounts kept in the Treasury. The operations to the present, though merely experimental in their nature, had proved entirely satisfactory. There were now five branches in the different villages, and applications to join one or other of these branches wore of almost daily occurrence. Owing to the lack of space in steamers, however, it was not at present possible to admit any more members. The Resident, Commissioner was convinced that, managed on the present lines and given sufficient space on steamers, these companies could take over a very large proportion of the fruit export trade, and that, without any chance of loss to the Administration. The companies, too, were nol in conflict with the trades, since nil fruit intended for export was first offered to the traders and fruit buyers, and was shipped on consignment only if no satisfactory price could bo obtained for it locally. The following account shows the operations to date Total shipment from March to July, 1922: (ircngcs, 2595 cases. Bananas, 1452 eases. 'Total, 4647 cases. Gross proceeds of total shipments, £1416 14s Bd. Les« expenses—Shooks £433 Is lOd. nails £23. nailing and cartage £57 19s 5d : total, £519 la 3rk I,ess withdrawals by natives on account, £897 13s sd. Balance in the Treasury. £761 Bs. When in Aitnlaki and Mangaia, the Reddent Commissioner was asked to extend the benefit of the now companies to these, places, and he promised _ that the matter would be taken into consideration in time, if possible, to do so next year.