Protection Sought

For Cook Is. Fruit

N. Zealand Considering

THE report of the Cook Islands Ad ministration, for the year ending March 31, 1931, states that pro ducers in the group have appealed to the N.Z. Government for protection against the heavy importations of cit rus fruits and bananas from sources outside of the Dominion’s territories.

It is pointed out that at present New Zealand is importing from foreign countries citrus fruits to the value of about £75,000. Australia is coming into the market with extensive new citrus plantings and is able to swamp the New Zealand market at will. Bananas also are imported from Tahiti, Norfolk Island and Australia and in large quan tities from Fiji; while Tonga is re ported to be preparing to enter the trade with large shipments.

Given reasonable protection and suitable shipping facilities, it is be lieved that New Zealand’s territories (Cook Islands, Nuie and Western Samoa) would be able to provide the Dominion with all citrus fruits, orange juice, bananas, and tomatoes required, and the islands named would to a greater measure become self-support ing.

In the April issue of The Pacific Is lands Monthly it was stated that the N.Z. Government was giving attention to the following proposals: That a duty of 2d. per lb. be imposed on foreign bananas.

A duty of 1d. per lb. on bananas from outside of New Zealand Territory.

Similar duties on citrus fruits from April to October.

So far as is known no decision has been yet reached regarding the imposi tion of these duties.