High Standard For
p. 42 · Read in the full issue
Bananas
Because they “did pack one case of bananas, same found to contain immature fruit concealed in the centre of case,” four natives of Rarotonga were haled be fore the High Court and fined sums rang ing from £2/10/- to £1.
The Cook Islands Government evidently is determined to maintain a high grade for the bananas which it exports to New Zealand. There were so many complaints from New Zealand con cerning damaged bananas and slack packs that the authorities have intro duced a much more severe inspection.
This is a little rough on the native growers, because a very large proportion of the Rarotongan bananas are grown in almost inaccessible places far up in the interior valleys, and the transport of the fruit from the mountains to the port is a heavy and arduous task.