A Forward Step

How Samoans View Government Control of Banana Industry

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Mar. 9.

* I *HE decision of the New Zealand * Government to exercise control over the sale of Samoan bananas in New Zealand is welcomed by Samoan growers as a step in the right direction.

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It is hoped that as a result of selling bananas at cheaper rates and thereby making the fruit available for the consumption of the mass of N.Z. working people, the demand should be greatly stimulated. Thus it may be possible to

increase the Samoan quota and assist producers here.

There is at present a large surplus of bananas offering. The last Maui Pomare shipment of over 7,000 cases was cut down by about 1,000, as many cases were rejected because of windfalls and over ripe fruit which had been cut too early.

The Maui Pomare, which arrived here late because of adverse weather con ditions, was still quarantined on account of the infantile paralysis in New Zea land. The regulations have now been lifted for all vessels leaving New Zealand after March 1.

The 38-tons auxiliary ketch, Lady Jean, formerly one of the Bass Strait “mos quito” fleet, has been sold to Queensland owners for trading among the New Guinea islands.

Mr. Garth Heenan, Government Sur veyor in Tonga, has been spending his leave in Sydney, accompanied by Mrs, Heenan, and their small daughter Sheelagh. They left Sydney for New Zealand at the end of March to catch the Matua at Auckland for Tonga. Mr.

Heenan, who has been for many years in the Government service in Tonga, is

an old boy of the Whanganui Collegiate School, New Zealand. While in Sydney they were the guests of Mrs. William Lieber, of Mosman, who is also well known in Tonga.

Mr. Herbert Selwood, headmaster of the Tongan College, Nukualofa, is spend ing his leave with his wife and two children in Queensland.