Government Control of Cook
pp. 25-26 · Read in the full issue
Is. Products
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Rarotonga, Oct. 21.
IT was not altogether with unfeigned delight that Cook Islanders learned that the New Zealand Government had taken control of their kumara (sweet potato) and small citrus fruit ex ports (as well as oranges).
After excellent returns had material ised from the sale of kumaras, grapefruit, lemons and mandarins to local trading firms, it is felt that the Government control will almost surely bring trouble in its wake. Kumaras are in such de mand on the NZ market that it was even necessary to obtain export sup plies by schooner from the outlying is land of Aitutaki; and comparatively large areas of land in Rarotonga have been planted in expectation of a con tinued fair price. Should returns dimin
ish, even as a result of seasonal demand, or conditions of export become stricter, the Fruit Control will almost certainly get the blame for it.
One well-known planter, who recently has received excellent prices for ship ments of grapefruit and tangerines, ex pressed the opinion that control had to be taken of the smaller citrus fruits In order not to show up the poor orange prices. It seems probable, however, that with the attention that the Government is now giving to efficient fruit distribu tion in New Zealand prices are likely to be more encouraging in the not-so-dis tant future.
Miss Marjorie Hamilton Macindoe, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E, Macindoe, of Lami, was married to Mr.
Don Stokes, eldest son of Mrs. and the late Mr G. F. Stokes, of Nausori, Fiji, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Suva, recently.
Papuan natives, under the direction of Mr. C. Fisher, are building another 45 ft. launch at the London Missionary Society’s station at Isuleilei, Fife Bay. The vessel will be similar to the “Oliver Tompkins”, now in commission.