SAMOAN BANANAS

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 940, 9 December 1933, Page 32 (Supplement)

SAMOAN BANANAS

Allegation of Exorbitant Prices Denied. (“Star” Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, December 9. A denial that exorbitant prices are being charged for Samoan bananas was given by Mr Forbes yesterday, when Mr Sullivan (Avon) asked him if he would take steps to protect South Island traders and consumers against the ■'* exorbitant monopoly prices ” threatened by the successful Auckland tenderers. Mr Sullivan, said, that the tenderers had recently indicated to South Island wholesalers a range of prices which would inevitably mean an increase in price to South Island traders and consumers. The Prime Minister replied that the whole output of bananas from Western Samoa was put up for competitive tender annually and the best offer was invariably accepted. “ The price payable in 1934 is an increase over that payable for the current year and will enable the increased price to be passed on to growers, which is 1 thoroughly justified by the progressive improvement in the fruit exported from the territory,” said Mr Forbes. “ When sold the fruit becomes the property of the purchaser and its subsequent disposal is a matter for him. The trade is, of course, a risky one and has involved considerable losses in the past. It is not correct that the successful tenderers hold a monopoly, and the fact that the fruit must be sold, a large proportion of it by public auction, should be sufficient guarantee that no exorbitant prices are charged.”