Fruit-Growing

Mr. Osborne Discusses Fruit-Growing (And Other) Problems Visit of New Zealand Officials to Cook Is.

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, May 31.

rR many months past the island of Rarotonga has been a troubled para dise. We have had the “Makatea scandal,” wharf strikes and other labour troubles, demonstrations agaihst the Resi dent Commissioner, and a general airing of grievances.

On May 11, Mr. A. G. Osborne, MP, accompanied by Mr. C. G. R. McKay, Sec retary for New Zealand’s Island Terri tories, arrived here by air to gather first hand knowledge of the Cook Islands’ many problems on behalf of the New Zealand government. During their stay they were almost continuously engaged in discussions with representatives of all in terests in the Islands, and they had full opportunity to obtain all points of On the day before their departure a pub lic meeting was held, at which Mr. Os borne gave a general report on the results of the discussions and the representations which would be conveyed to the Govern ment. (See June issue of “PIM.”) Mr. Osborne, during his visit, also took the opportunity to inspect as many citrus plantations as possible, and he expressed satisfaction that much good work had been done by those growers, Maori and European, who could see the need of re planting and thus building up the natural resources of the Cook Islands. Consider able progress in replanting has already been made in Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and some of the other Cook Islands.

Mr. Osborne said that some people had stated that they preferred a straight-out price for fruit, but they now understood the need for the bonus svstem decided upon by the Government, to give encour

agement to replanting. The bonus scheme made provision for those who could not yet obtain new trees, and also for those who took care of their present trees.

Under the new system the present price for special oranges is 7/6 per case (packed), plus a bonus of 2/- per case.

Growers of native oranges who have re planted trees and are maintaining them at their own cost, or under one of the administration schemes, receive 7/- per case plus a bonus of 2/-. Growers who desire to plant new trees, but who will have to wait for a supply of young trees to become available, will receive 7/- per case plus a bonus of 1/-; and to these an extra 1/- per case will be paid when new trees are planted.

Those growers of native oranges who do not wish to plant new trees, either under a Government scheme or by their own effort, will be paid 7/- per case, but will receive no bonus.

It is hoped that the encouragement of the bonus scheme will mean much more wealth for the Cook Islands in five years time. rE visitors discussed with the Fruit Advisory Committee and the island councils the proposal for a cool store for oranges, and an agreement was reached. It was decided that the time was not yet ripe for storing citrus fruit in large quantities.

There was a further suggestion that a smaller cool store be provided to hold about 5,000 cases of tomatoes at those times when a ship is not immediately available for their removal.

Mr. Osborne agreed that this was a need, and said that he would bring it to the notice of the Government for exam ination. He thought that NZ would be glad to have as many tomatoes as the Cook Islands could send at the time of the year when the Dominion cannot pro duce its own. The question would be de termined by the shipping space available, and as a large number of people in NZ depended upon tomato growing for part of their living, it would be for the Gov ernment to say when Cook Island toma toes could be accepted.

On the question of growing large quan tities of pineapples for the market, Mr.

Osborne was of the opinion that there would be no objection providing packing and cases conformed to requirements; but shipping space was the important factor here, as it was in other productions, and many of the Cook Islands’ problems would be solved only when shipping is avail able. The need for adequate shipping is fully realised in NZ, and inquiries are be ing made in London for a vessel suitable for the Cook Islands trade. It is felt that a vessel twice the size of the “Maui Pomare” would be suitable. The vessel will have four holds, and it should then be possible to always carry bananas; this is impossible at present with the “Maui Pomare.”

MR. OSBORNE promised also to take up with the Dominion Government, the need for better hospital facili ties in Rarotonga, and recommend a general improvement in health services throughout the Group; and to request that experts be sent from NZ to examine the possibilities of an electricity supply for Rarotonga and improved harbour facilities throughout the Cooks.

Mr. and Mrs. P. T. English recently re turned to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony after leave in New Zealand. Mr. is a well-known officer of the Western Pacific High Commission. He received a decoration in the recent Birth day Honours (see elsewhere this issue) for services rendered at Tarawa just prior to the Japanese invasion.