Fruit Control Scheme

Letter to the Editor.

IN your issue of May an article ap peared headed, “Fruit Control Op posed”. I do not know who furnish ed the statement, but it is a partisan and not quite accurate statement of the proceedings.

It is stated therein that Mr. W. P.

Browne bitterly attacked the scheme.

This is quite inaccurate. Mr. Browne (the writer) did not attack the scheme, but he did object strongly to the price offered for the bananas. He is in favour of the Government Control Scheme, as are fully ninety-nine per cent, of all the growers in the Islands; but, as secret ary of the Rarotonga Growers’ Associa tion, and voicing their opinion, he ob jected most strongly to the muddle, con tradictory statements and attempted domination of the growers’ free expres sion of their opinions by Mr. Smith and his officials.

However, they have all been removed who gave offence. Judge Ayson is return ing as Resident Commissioner, to the joy of all, and Mr. Baker, our new Di rector of Agriculture, shows a willing ness to fit in, which promises a happy future for the Cook Islands fruit in dustry.

The price paid for Cook Islands bana nas, 3/6, does not repay the work entail ed, as you «say, but as the Samoan sys tem is about to be introduced, we have every hope of receiving such an in crease in price as will cause bananas to be planted.

All planting of bananas is being held up on account of the dissatisfaction with the price. Again I say, I, with every one else practically, am in favour of the Government Control Scheme, but with the proviso that the price paid is remunerative.

I am, etc.,

W. P. Browne.

Rarotonga, 22/6/1938.