Fruit Prices Rocket in Rarotonga

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, Nov. 1.

|>ETURNS reminiscent of the “good old days” were realised by growers here last month when sharp competition drove prices up to 12/- and 13/- a case respect ively for bananas and tomatoes “on the w r harf.”

The fun apparently started when the Exporters’ Association was unable to reach a unanimous decision upon a uni form buying price and was further in creased by the entry of the Growers’ As sociation with a substantial buying order.

Competitive bidding—a forgotten art lo cally—jumped the price almost hourly as the time for packing approached, it ap pearing to be a point of honour with some of the older firms not to be beaten.

As the majority of the shipment was bought, growers had a glorious time spending during the following week, and the only consolation which traders have

since had to solace themselves with is the knowledge that the money paid out mostly came to rest again in their tills.

For comfort was badly needed when mar ket advices were received showing losses from 2/- to 4/- a case, one agent alone reputedly having lost over £lOOO.

Sobered, and greatly chastened, buyers this month are only offering 7/- for ban anas and 2/- for tomatoes ‘on the wharf.”