ISLAND FRUIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26328, 6 December 1946, Page 6

ISLAND FRUIT

GROWERS’ DISSATISFACTION CONTROL SYSTEM OF MARKETING \ INVESTIGATION OF INDUSTRY URGED Strong criticism of the treatment received by growers of fruit in the Cook Islands under the system of control. introduced by the New Zealand Government in 1936, is contained in a letter forwarded to the Daily Times by members of the Native Island Council and the Native Fruit Committee. “We feel,” the letter states, “ that the time is opportune to state the case of the people of the Cook Islands, and the effect of control by the Government of New Zealand on the progress and general welfare of the community. Amongst many others, we supported the control measure, for prices for fruit generally had been poor for some time, and we had been led to believe that control Would solve all our problems, and that for the future we would enjoy good prices for our fruit. Growers’ Strike “Our first disillusionment came within a few months of the commencement of control, when the price fixed by the Internal Marketing Division was so low in comparison with that paid under the old conditions, that growers refused to pack their bananas, and there was a general growers’ strike. The division conceded a small, increase in price, which growers finally accepted, but. without enthusiasm, and this feeling over other fruits shipped from here has continued up to the present time.” Detailed figures are given relating to Cook Islands oranges showing that the grower receives a maximum of 9s per one and a-half bushel case, and subsquent charges bring the cost, in store at Auckland, to a little more than 19s 6d. Price order No. 542, of May 26, 1946,” it is stated, “ fixes the wholesale selling price of Island oranges at 28s for a one and a-half bushel case. Growers want to know why, out of a wholesale price of 28s, they receive no more than 95.” The letter compares the price allowed to New Zealand growers under Price Order No. 380, of June 7, 1945, with that allowed to Island growers, quoting 33s 5d the estimated net return to the New Zealand grower for one and a-half bushels of oranges. , The position in regard to mandarins is also set out by tim writers, comparing the figure of 29s 6d a bushel which, they state, is allowed to New Zealand growers, with an allowance, under control, of 13s 6d for the Island fruit which, it is claimed, is much superior to the New Zealand-grown article. Meyer lemons and bananas are also dealt with as subjects of dissatisfaction, and it is stated that the only product for which the Rarotongan growers receives an adequate return is tomatoes. The Tomato Market “These have not been taken under control by the Government,” the letter states, “ and growers have been able to ship direct to the New Zealand markets and to secure the full prices ruling, there. The expenses in shipment have also been kept down to a minimum. Growers realise from the prices which have been secured for tomatoes during the past years, how values of fruit have greatly increased. They are emphatic in stating that if control of tomatoes by the Internal Marketing Division were to be attempted they would immediately discontinue planting, their experience with bananas, oranges, mandarines, tangerines, Meyer lemons, kumara, taro, coconuts, pineapples, and practically every export from the Islands since control commandeered the output, having been unsatisfactory, disappointing and deadly. • “There, can be no disputing the fact .that had Cook Island growers been free to ship their fruits to the .open market in New Zealand and had not been forced >to supply them to the Internal Marketing Division under a control price arbitrarily fixed by the division, very much higher prices would- have been realised and (he Island growers would have been happier. Those prices and free marketing would have made the expense to New Zealand citrus replanting scheme unnecessary, and produced much greater supply of fruits for the fruit-hungry people of New Zealand at no greater retail price. “ Control ” has been a very costly business to the people of the Cook Islands. They feel that an investigation by a proper authority, and adjustments in accord with the findings of such an authority, are long overdue-' “The average income ner capita, per annum, in the Cook* Islands is probably below £lO (N.Z.) even in a good fruit year. Why should people living iln these straitened circumstances be forced to bear the cost of suuplying New Zealand with cheap fruit, and be paid a price for their oranges and other high-class citrus fruits, so far below that paid to their more, favoured and fortunate jcompetlors in New Zealand, and elsewhere, who already enjoy a standard of living so far above theirs? . “ Rarotonga has now a moribund banana industry, which, if not remedied immediately, will be permanently lost, due to the dying out of suckers with which ,to replant. “ Bribe ” to Growers “ The orange industry was allowed to drag along the same road, and it is only recently, by bribing prospective growers of new trees with an additional 2s bonus above the fixed price per case, that some replanting has been done, and that with a considerable measure of distrusting doubt. Growers of mandarines, tangerines and Meyer lemons are very much dissatisfied, with the prices paid them for these superior special fruits, and little, if any, further planting of them is being done. There has been; despite the names of the coins, no real increase in price received for Cooks Islands fruits above that of about 40 years ago, when calculated at its real or purchasing value, yet cost of production has very considerably increased, due to introduced diseases and pests necessitating spraying, pruning, manuring and care, neither needed or used until these; last few years. “It can only be hoped that before the general decay advances too far steps will be taken to ensure to the Cook Island people a measure of fair and just treatment in the matter of prices for their produce, so that there may be co-operation, which the people would be more than willing to give, instead of the present dissatisfaction and distrust.”