3/9 Per Case

For Cook Is. Banana-Growers

Rarotonga, Aug. 17

THE Minister in charge of the Cook Islands (Mr. Savage) has sent the following communication to the Resident Commissioner (Judge Ayson):— “You are hereby authorised to inform the banana-growers that, with the insti tution of the new method under which they are themselves to pack the bananas without cost to the Fruit Control Scheme, and having regard to the marked im provement that has already been affected in the quality and packing of Rarotongan bananas, I am prepared to approve of a bonus of 3d. per case in respect of every shipment which, on arrival in New Zealand, is found to maintain the standard of the shipment that arrived at the end of June”.

This now brings the price to 3/9 a case.

But this price still is inadequate for the labour entailed, and it is hoped that, with still more improvement of the quality and pack, the Rarotongan growers will event ually be paid the same price as the Samoans, namely 5/- per case.