N.Z. Premier’s Comment
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
From Our New Zealand Correspondent AUCKLAND, March 25.
A DETERMINATION to conduct a full investigation into the importation of fruit into New Zealand from Rarotonga has been expressed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, who is also Minister for the Cook Islands.
The Rarotongans proposed to petition Parliament with regard to the setting up of a Fruit Board, he said. It was the duty of Parliament to find out the true posi tion, and he would be glad of any evidence placed before it. He wanted to be sure that a Board was the solution of the trouble.
The fruit trade had been unsatisfactory for years, said Mr. Savage. New Zealand was not far away from the Cook Islands.
The Islands had fruit, but the Dominion could not get it, and that was most un satisfactory. It would be worth while for those who knew something about the fruit trade to come forward when a Parliamen tary Committee was set up to consider the matter. They wanted to examine the whole position, and to give interested par ties a chance for cross-examination. They were determined to see justice done.