Fiji Bananas Dumped
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Off N.Z. Coast
RESIDENTS of the South Island of New Zealand who have been banana-hungry since the Pacific war began had reason to lament recently when 1,000 cases of the fruit, part of a consignment from Fiji, were dumped over board off Lyttelton.
The dumped cases were part of the con signment of 2,328 cases taken on in Suva by the “Port Alma” some weeks ago for the Internal Marketing Board of New Zealand.
It is alleged that the dumped fruit was stored next a hot locker-room, where the temperature was over 100 degrees and when the ship reached Lyttelton, the bananas were bad.
Because bananas have become such a rarity, wharf-labourers had gone to un precedented lengths and had arranged to work the week-end of November 9-10 so
that the fruit might be unloaded without delay. When 1,000 cases were discovered to be bad they decided not to work the rest of the consignment.