Fiji Bananas,
p. 13 · Read in the full issue
Melbourne Threatens Boycott of First Shipment.
THE first shipment of Fiji bananas to be admitted to Australia under the reciprocal clauses of the Ottawa Treaty, is expected in Sydney by the “Niagara” at the end of December.
Although the importations are to be restricted by Australia to 40,000 centals per annum, the Fiji authorities are watching this small first shipment with close attention. They are determined that transport facilities shall be satisfactory, that only first-class bananas shall reach Australia, and that Australian fruit-re tailers shall not indulge in their notori ous practice of passing off well-grown Queensland bananas as “full-flavoured Fiji.”
The Queensland banana interests are using every means and artifice to block the distribution and marketing of the Fiji product. They have compelled all Melbourne fruit-agents, except two small firms, to refuse to handle Fiji bananas.
Something of the same sort is being tried in Sydney; but with what result is not yet known.
Mr. A. E. Pearce, of Suva, has been busy in Melbourne and Sydney, making arrangements for the reception and mar keting of the Fiji fruit. It was he who first told the Australian newspapers about the Melbourne boycott. It is re ported that Mr. Barnes, Director of Agriculture in Fiji, will accompany the first shipment to Sydney. It is not ex pected to be more than about 2,000 cases. Fiji production has fallen off, owing to the restriction of the New Zea land market: but growers are now planting up again.
Although importation at the reduced tariff has been limited to less than 4000 centals per month, it is not expected that the trade will remain at that figure.
Fiji bananas are so much better than the Queensland variety that it is ex pected, when they return to the Aus tralian market, the demand for them will be so great that people will will ingly pay a higher price, and that will take care of the duty (8/6 per cental) which will have to be paid on all im portations in excess of 4000 centals per month.
Later.
It is reported on December 19 that the Federal Government take's a serious view of the attempt to boycott Fiji ban anas, and will take special steps to pro tect the Ottawa Agreement.