White Taro

New Demand for Good Islands Tuber

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Dec. 6.

A REMARKABLE increase in orders for the white variety of taro has been experienced in Rarotonga.

Although the New Zealand market, particularly in Auckland, was becoming more favourable to this Pacific Islands vegetable, the demand during the past few months has strengthened sharply.

No doubt the recent potato shortage in the Dominion has been largely respon sible for this, but it is possible that cer tain sections of the public have come to recognise the value of this cheap but nutritious food.

Taro tarua, as it is called in the Cook Islands, keeps in excellent condition for at least six weeks, and is of suitable shape and texture for table use. This variety is very different from the usual black taro, which Europeans at first find rather unpalatable.

When properly cooked taro tarua has a flavour quite compatible with that of potatoes; and, served as “mashed pota toes,” it is practically indistinguishable from the real thing.

Editorial Note: Residents of other territories, who want information about White Taro, should write to the “PIM.”

Mr. G. K, Roth, of the Department of District Administration, Fiji, has been appointed to act as Assistant Colonial Secretary during the absence in New Zealand of Mr. C. W. T. Johnson.

Mr. Olaf Moen, miner, of Wau, New Guinea, died suddenly in Sydney on December 16, He was miners’ represen tative on the executive of the Pacific Territories Association, and his place there has been filled by the appointment of Mr. J. W. Hinks, well-known in Papua and the Morobe district.