New Export Activity

Tongan Bananas

New Export Activity Commenced

WHEN, a few weeks ago, the Union S.S. Co.’s cargo steamer Wai hemo. from ’Frisco to New Zealand, was diverted to Tonga to pick up bananas for the New Zealand market, a new era opened up for the little Islands Kingdom.

Tonga has been close to starvation.

Copra is the group’s staple product and main source of revenue; and the combined result of the depression and a long continued drought—which al most killed copra production and pre vented the planters taking advantage of the recovery of the copra market — spelled disaster for many people.

In the circumstances, it was essen tial that the Group should find some other source of income. The matter was discussed from all angles by vari ous interests, but it remained for the vigorous organising ability of Rev. R.

C. Page, head of the Methodist Church in the Kingdom, to provide a solution.

The economic problem impressed itself on Mr. Page over a year ago, when he began to seek alternative crops and finally he came to the conclusion that there was only one way of obtaining quick relief—namely, by sending ban anas to the New Zealand market. He kept pegging away and finally was able to bring together the three interests concerned —namely, the Union Steam ship Co., the Government and the na tive planters. As a result the Union Co. agreed to provide shipping facilities on condition that it received a guarantee

of a certain quantity of cargo. The Government and planters guaranteed the shipment of 1,500 cases of bananas, and the Waihemo, on her November trip from San Francisco to New Zea land, was diverted to Tonga to pick up the cargo.

The native planters brought in their bananas, which were graded and re packed, and they received an advance payment of 4/- per case. The steamer actually picked up 2,500 cases, which were taken to Auckland to the order of Messrs. A. B. Donald and Co., and realised the excellent price of 17/- per case. The balance due on each case, after providing for freight and charges and the original payment of 4/- per case, is to be divided between agents (Messrs. Donald and Co.) and the growers. The Waihemo also carried 300 cases of pineapples, which found a good market.

This development has given new life to Tonga, and the growers are eagerly preparing for further shipments. The Karetu, which left Sydney on Decem ber 22, called at Vavau and Nukualofa, after leaving Fiji, to pick up further consignments of bananas for Auckland.

The Tongan planters are now think ig seriously of developing the tomato trade with New Zealand. Tomatoes grow exceedingly well in Tongatabu— as do also the cold country vegetables such as potatoes, cabbages, carrots, wheat, etc. This is the result of a very remarkable climatic change, to which we referred in last issue.

The shipping company and the agents are trying to so arrange ship ments that bananas from Tonga will not clash in the New Zealand market with bananas from Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands.