Not Excessive

N.Z. Profits From Samoan Bananas

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, January 4.

IN recent letters in the Auckland Star, -* complaints have been voiced regarding the high price of Samoan bananas to New Zealand consumers, and it is asserted that the buyers, who have contracted for the yearly output of Samoan bananas, are making huge profits.

In fairness it should be stated that the figures as cited by the complainants are not correct. For instance, the freight from Apia to New Zealand ports is not 1/6, but 4/- per case. The total cost per case landed in New Zealand is over 13/- and the wholesale buyers’ contract price to the Samoan Administration (which has not been made known) is probably in the neighbourhood of 14/6 per case.

Even this price would leave a very good profit to the wholesalers, assuming an average selling price of 24/- per case. This average price, however, cannot be obtained during the fruit season in New Zealand, and it has sometimes dropped to 9/6 per case, which meant a heavy loss on some shipments. The buyers have also to stand the risk of overripe and immature or diseased fruit, of which a certain propor tion may be found in nearly every ship ment.

It is, therefore, only fair to concede that under the circumstances the profits of the New Zealand wholesale buyers cannot be described as excessive.

Mr. Arthur Aris King, an old identity of Western Samoa, left Apia with his family in January to take up residence in New Zealand. Mr. King lived with Robert Louis Stevenson at Vailima for some time and valued his reminiscences of his connection with the famous writer.

He has a number of valuable souvenirs of that time in his possession. For years past Mr. King has been ailing and un able to work at his advanced age. He hopes that the change of climate will be of benefit to his health.