Drop In Fiji Banana Trade

THE effect of gales and floods experi enced in Fiji early last year is seen in the lower banana exports for 1939. According to the Fiji “Agricultural Journal”, shipments to New Zealand totalled 55,865 cases compared with 149,365 cases in 1938. Exports to Canada fell from 17,656 bunches in 1938 to 1,242 in 1939; and in February the shipments to Canada ceased altogether owing to a shortage of suitable bunches.

At the invitation of the N.Z. Govern ment the Colonial Secretary and the Fiji Produce Inspector visited Wellington to discuss a new agreement for the sale of bananas on a free-on-board Suva basis.

Under the old agreement N.Z. purchased bananas at 9/1 (Fijian) per case, f.o.b.

Suva. The n p w arrangement came into operation in March and provided for the grading of bananas into two qualities— the first to be paid for at P 9 4i per case, and the second at FB/B£, f.0.b., Suva.

No less than 82.3 per cent, of exports were “A” grade and the average return was F 9 3.1 per case.

The export pool is now working satis factorily. The Fijian Producers’ Associa tion, which shares in the pool, carried on business fairly well considering the unusual difficulties encountered during the year.

Mrs. L. Mayne Anderson, formerly of the Banks Group (and more recently of Norfolk Island) was at the July meeting of the Pacific Islands Society in Sydney.

For many weeks Mrs. Anderson has been an inmate of hospital, though her health has now improved.

Mr. H. C. MacPherson has resumed duties at the Lands and Survey Office, at Rabaul. New Guinea, after furlough in Australia.