Cook Is. Oranges
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
Bad Fruit and Small Profits
Letter to the Editor I AM instructed to inform you that my Association takes strong exception to statements appearing in the issues of the “Pacific Island Monthly” of February 20 and March 16, 1934, in regard to the Cook Islands’ fruit trade.
The quality of Cook Islands oranges has steadily deteriorated in recent years and the shipments have been landing in New Zealand in very bad condition. The Cook Is. Administration has endeavoured to im prove matters, but notwithstanding strin gent regulations, the quality and condition of fruit on arrival in New Zealand has made it impossible to market the fruit at profitable prices.
Regarding the imputation that importers are making large profits, I am directed to state that importing firms are prepared to have their accounts checked. If it be proved they have made 6d per case profit on their importations from the Cook Islands during the past few years they are pre pared to donate £50 to any charity your Magazine cares to name, provided a simi lar sum is donated by you if it be proved that importers have not made 6d per case profit.
I am, etc.,
H. Fisher
Secretary, Auckland Fruit Importers’ Assn.
Auckland, New Zealand, April 13, 1934.