Malayan Bananas

Vain Search for Market

MALAYA has been seeking a market for its bananas, but with negative results.

Inquiry was first made in Europe.

Hurricanes in the West Indies, and the prevalence of the Panama disease, has dislocated somewhat that source of regu lar supply for the European market. But West Indies bananas get to Europe in 12-16 days—just in time to allow ban anas to arrive in good condition. Trans port from Malaya would occupy about 28 days—making the trade impracticable.

Malaya then examined the Australian market. It was found that Netherlands India has been sending some 14,000 centals per annum to West Australia, under a duty of 8/4 per cental; while Fiji exported about the same quantity (1931- 32) to Eastern Australia, with a duty of 2/6 per cental. Malaya ascertained that this trade is shrinking—the New South Wales and Queensland growers have secured the East Australian market, and the Dutch sales to West Australia are being displaced by locally-grown West Australian bananas.

Malaya thereupon decided that while, like many other tropical countries, it can grow very good bananas, it can find no profitable overseas market for them.

Rev. B. L. Webb, who has been residing on Norfolk Island for several years, has returned to Sydney.