THE BANANA TRADE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20694, 3 January 1939, Page 7

THE BANANA TRADE

REPORT OF COMMIBBION MAU COMPLAINTS UNJUSTIFIED NOT FOR NEW ZEALAND (United Press assd. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) APIA, Jan. i The decision of Ihe Commission of Inquiry into tiie working of the banana export trade, which sat at Apia last June to consider Mau complaints against the conduct of the Government's scheme and its administration by Mr H. Newton, Government produce inspector, who, it was alleged, had discriminated in the issue of quotas against members of the Mau. has been received by the aotingAdministrator, Mr A. C. Turnbull, from Wellington, as follows: — “The complaints were unjustified, and time and money wasted to no purpose at all. The banana scheme is entirely for the Samoans and not New Zealand, and is very well run indeed. The Government has every confidence in Mr Newton and other officers in Samoa. •■'The Samoans have benefited by the scheme, and I lie hiadi price New Zealand is willing I" l>ay fur bananas in order lo help the Samoans. The Samoans musl help and not hinder Hie scheme if they wanl it to continue. if they think the scheme is for I lie benefit of New Zealand and no! Samoa, or for any reason are not satisfied, let I hem say so.

“If Ihe Samoans do not want the banana scheme, or such complaints continue, Ihe Government will arrange lo stop Ihe scheme at once, and New Zealand will buy bananas elsewhere. The motor-vessel Maui Pomare will be used for other purposes.”