Samoa Will Not Pack Bananas
p. 34 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent APIA. April 22.
BANANA exports are still decreasing, as more and more native and Euro pean producers cease to pack bana nas for export.
With Europeans, this is partly the result of the chronic labour shortage, which also affects the cocoa and coco nut planters. But natives and Europeans alike find the export price offered (5/6 per case) not a paying proposition. In fact, bananas of indifferent quality sold locally fetch better prices than the picked fruit required for export.
Mr. John Walstab, formerly in charge of the New Guinea police, and who sub sequently held an important office in the Middle East, returned to Australia re cently, and is now APO in Melbourne.
His son-in-law, Major Backhouse (the well-known New Guinea medico who isolated the cause of Japanese River fever) also returned to Australia, with the 9th Division.