COOK ISLANDS FRUIT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19027, 29 May 1936, Page 9

COOK ISLANDS FRUIT

TRADE COMBINE DENIED BETTER CONTROL URGED SALES IN -DOMINION (Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Further evidence concerning the Cook Islands fruit trade was given this afternoon before the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Harvey Turner, managing director of Turners and Growers. Limited, Auckland. said the allegations that a “ring or combine controlled (lie fruit business in the Cook Islands and distribution in New Zealand was absurd. Control by the Government or any other body would not increase the amount of money received by the natives, nor improve the quality of the fruit landing in the Dominion. What was needed was: (1). rigid inspection at Rarotonga and complete elimination from shipments of inferior grade fruit; (2). a reduction in Hie number of packing sheds to not more than three each to lie under tile complete control of an efficient European inspector; (3) definite instructions to the growers as to how fruit should be picked and handled before arriving at the packing sheds and complete rejection of any fruit showing evidence of rough handling before arriving at the packing sheds; and (4), the appointment of a. citrus expert as adviser to the Director oi Agriculture. Air. W. T. Goodwin, Director of Agriculture at Rarotonga, recommended the appointment of additional inspectors and the erection of a cool store on the island.

Mr. J. T 5. Grove, managing director of W. IT. Grove and Sons, Limited, Auckland, said that although his firm handled its own fruit in New Zealand it was unable to average the 5 per cent net profit and some years made substantial losses’. Considering the risky nature of the business his firm felt that the return gave very little encouragement. He was not aware of any restrictions operating in the trade which prevented native growers freedom of Che Now Zealand market.

Mr. A. J. Popie, president of the Auckland Fruit Importers’ Association, said the fact that a considerable percentage of Rarotonga oranges had to be rejected was due to faults in the system at the Islands end.

The committee adjourned until the morning.