Progress of "Control" Plan
pp. 27-28 · Read in the full issue
70,000 Cases Of
Oranges
Progress of "Control" Plan In Cook Islands
From Our Own Correspondent
Rarotonga, Oct. 25.
A BRIEF summary of the result of the season’s fruit shipments under Gov ernment control of the industry was made recently by the Resident Commis sioner (Mr. S. J. Smith).
His Honour admitted substantial losses, in some cases as high as 50 per cent., on oranges shipped by the 8.8. Limerick in May, but attributed these to faulty methods of stowing the fruit. But in succeeding shipments, by the Matua, the fruit had arrived in first-class condition.
On 14,000 cases despatched late in May, the Government had now paid growers a total of 3/6 per case. Growers might also expect a further 1/- (additional to the 2/6 already paid) on 9,000 cases shipped in June. There was no infor mation yet about the fruit shipped in July and August.
Forty-two selling agents in New Zea land acted on commission for the Govern ment, and some of these were slow in sending in account sales, so that it was impossible for the local authorities to make supplementary payments to grow ers as quickly as they would have liked.
But the Government had definitely taken over control of the industry and would not relinquish it. Mr. Smith regarded the first year’s progress, all things con sidered, as satisfactory. With the last shipment, in November, 70,000 cases of oranges would have left the Group this season.
Attempts to introduce the Rarotonga packing system, and the presence of nat ive fruit inspectors were so strenuously opposed in Aitutaki that the Director of Agriculture, who accompanied the Resi dent Commissioner to that island, drop ped the proposals. There, as in the other outer islands of the Group, the work and responsibility of handling the fruit lies with the Resident Agent. In this respect, Aitutaki is fortunate in possessing the services and experience of Captain A. A.
Luckham, C.8.E., to whose initiative the present satisfactory condition of the con trolled banana trade in Niue is largely due.
In Aitutaki, the Government, posses sing no plant of its own, has taken over the sheds, grading machines, etc., for merly used by the traders, and are em ploying these latter as fruit inspectors during shipments. This method has pro duced better results than elsewhere in the Group, the average loss on arrival in New Zealand being under three per cent. —a position which goes a long way
to discredit a current absurdity that the traders seek to injure the fruit.
Much Controversy
“Fruit Control” is still the focal point of local interest, and the question of its application to the banana industry continues to stir both white and brown demagogues. At the present moment a deadlock seems to have been reached, with the Government offering a 2/6 guarantee, similar to that already made in the case of oranges, and growers demanding a flat payment of 5/- a box m, , <<rt , , a C°iß ro l has so far operated for large growers, and tor the minority who have expended big sums upon plantation improvement, must be admitted by all parties. Nor would
it be anything but human nature for these elements not to oppose, criticise and condemn the scheme. Plans for the betterment of the poorer classes can hardly be expected to find endorsement from persons obliged to watch their own interests being injured.
But, for the majority of native grow ers, and especially those in the outer islands, “Control” possibly has resulted in slightly better prices; although, in the case of several islands, these have been offset by inability to handle more than a portion of the whole crop. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that the scheme is still in its infancy, and credit should be given to those in charge for their en thusiasm and their disinterested efforts to make it a success.
A profit of £2,270 was earned by Rabaul Elec tricity Ltd. for the year to June 30, 1937, com pared with £3,259 in 1936 and £2,384 in 1935.
An interim dividend at the rate of 12 per cent, p.a. absorbed £1,325, but a final distribution is not proposed. The board explains that cash re sources have been strained by the volcanic erup tion at Rabaul in May. They add that they hope to make an interim distribution on account ot the current year.