Cook Islands Fruit Industry

Officials and Delegates Leave to Attend N.Z. Inquiry

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, May 18.

A GENERAL exodus of those interested in the fruit industry and its ramifica tions took place by to-day’s Maunganui.

In the first-class, representing the Ad ministration, went Judge H. F. Ayson, C.M.G., Resident Commissioner, and Mr.

W. T. Goodwin, Director of Agriculture.

Representing the Exporters’ Association went Mr. R. McKegg, managing director of the Cook Islands Trading Co., accompanied by Mr. W. Wigmore, shipper and planter.

In the second-class were Mr. William Mcßirney, trenchant chairman of the Growers’ Association, together with his fel low delegates, Mr. W. P. Browne and Tevano Napa Tauei. On behalf of the minority counter-petition were Tinirau Makea Ariki Nui and Tuaine Nicholas.

Representing himself in an unofficial capa city was the one-time Director of Agricul ture, Mr. E. A. Reid. Last but by no means least important went Arumaki, delegate from the Cook Islands Native Association.

It is understood that the Parliamentary Committee detailed to investigate the fruit industry in the Cook Islands will go into action within a few days of the ship’s arrival. In addition to the above delegates and officials, much evidence is expected to be tendered by parties representing sales and marketing interests in New Zealand.

The work of sorting out and finally reach ing a correct estimate of the whole situa tion will prove no easy task. It is one where the words of the late Tim Healy in the House of Commons might again be employed—“l have given you the informa tion, gentlemen; God alone can give you the intelligence to understand it!”

During the past month advice from the outer islands of Mauke, Atiu, Mangaia and Aitutaki was received to the effect that a substantial majority of growers in Mauke alone over 90 per cent. —had signi fied approval of the proposed Fruit Board.

The actual position now is that prob ably well over 85 per cent, of the total number of growers, both in Rarotonga and the Lower Group, have signed the original petition asking for a Control Board whilst those who signed the counter-petition rep resent a bare 10 per cent. The latter’s claim to be growers of 60 per cent, of the island’s fruit output is open to serious question, since in several instances signa tories to this petition possess little land themselves, but are either large pur chasers of “standing crops” or straight out buyers and consigners. Both of these activities tend to place them more in the class of middlemen than in that of the producer which they now claim to repre sent.

“Cape Horn” Lifts 7,500 Cases Of

Oranges

The S.S. Cage Horn, en route from ’Frisco to Auckland, called here on May 6, later proceeding to Mauke and Aitutaki where she picked up 7,500 cases of oranges, bought at the flat rate of 2/- a case by guarantors of the vessel. Dissatisfied with the price offered, growers in Mangaia and Atiu refused to pick.

In Rarotonga, producers picked heavily despite the poor price of 2/6 a case “in the shed.” It is estimated that 10,000 cases will go forward by to-day’s mail boat.

In view of last week’s shipment by the Cape Horn there is now every prospect of the market being flooded. With cold storage facilities at their disposal it is a

simple matter for speculators to hold large quantities in reserve, releasing these when further shipments arrive, thus forcing down any competitive bidding and later replacing the fruit in storage until a more favourable market is created.

With regard to the local buying agents’ price of 2/6 a case here in Rarotonga, it is interesting to note that the recently formed Growers’ Association have been able to secure orders from N.Z. for 500 cases at 5/- a case, or just double that paid by the representatives of the speculators— figures altogether disproportionate to the reasonable profit recognised in economics as the reward for commercial “risk.”

Despite plenty of available shipping space many small growers have neverthe less been unable to dispose of their fruit locally. That “honesty is the best policy” has been felt to be a mistake in a number of cases where natives not in debt to the stores have systematically had their fruit refused whereas others whose accounts are well on the wrong side of the ledger have had no difficulty in getting rid of theirs.

Mr. L. R. Barton, of the Audit Depart ment, Fiji, left Suva by the Monterey on May 12, en route to England. He was accompanied by Mrs. Barton.

A United Women’s Club has been formed in Rabaul, of which Mrs. Percy Clark is president and Mrs. H. C. Gridley is secre tary. The club will collect clothing, etc., for city missions in Australia,. as well as books and periodicals for lonely settlers on N.G. out-stations.