Norfolk Is.
pp. 22-23 · Read in the full issue
Gets NZ Market
Prom Our Own Correspondent
M Norfolk Is., July 30.
ANY years ago Norfolk Island* experienced a banana boom.o but when New Zealand pro hibited their import—for politicals reasons—many hundreds of acresj of cultivated land were allowed toa; go back to bush. (Australia, ofic course, does not want our tropicals and semi-tropical produce which! would compete with mainland) growers).
Now, thanks to the representa—i tions made in the first instance by/,; Mr. J, Howse, MP, on the questiomi of a possible market in NZ beings established for Norfolk-growrrr bananas, citrus fruit, etc., permis-; sion has been given by NZ for ther importation of fruits, plants, seeds and cut flowers fronrn Norfolk Island.
Certain conditions have been im-r posed, chief of them being compul-I sory inspection of citrus orchards!; each year, to determine if they ar©~ clear of Mediterranean, Queensland or oriental fruit fly. There must bee a yearly declaration by the Admin istrator that fruit fly does not exists and finally there will be an in spection of export fruit in regis tered packing sheds.
Captain Holm of the Holm Ship-c ping Line has offered a ship fronrn New Zealand to Auckland every/'j two months but it is felt that as more frequent service will be neces-g sary before growers can take fullh advantage of the New Zealand), market. Between April and Novem-n her, at a time when local New?
Zealand supplies are unobtainable . 9.
Norfolk grows fine beans, etc. A ship only every two monthsri would not warrant large-scaleb planting, however. New Zealand)!; should be able to absorb fruit anor vegetable shipments at fortnightly!; intervals.
Cheap air freight is another pos-a< sibility—and this would be particu-u larly valuable for the cut flowers trade.
Much appreciation is locally for the action of Mr. Howseaa Parliamentary Under-Secretary foro the Department of Territories, whorl took the initiative in beginning/! negotiations with New Zealand.
New Zealand is a natural markets; for the produce of Norfolk Islandm which has for years been virtually/!! denied any means of living fromne the products of its soil —Australian! did not want them and Newva Zealand would not have them. (Continued Next Page)
Meeting Of Growers
Following the advice that New Zealand was prepared to import our fruit and vegetables, a meeting of growers was called by the Ad ministrator on July 24. This was exceptionally well attended.
The Administrator, Mr. Alex Wilson, was unanimously voted to the chair, and an open discussion on the problems involved in taking advantage of the NZ offer took place.
On Mr. Wilson’s suggestion, it was resolved to investigate the possi bilities of air freighting, as it was felt that bad weather might at any time hold up a consignment of produce—the Island’s lack of an all-weather port being a serious disadvantage.
The local Agricultural Officer, Mr.
Chapman, was asked to push ahead with arrangements for fumigation of fruit, and a committee of growers was elected to organise a trial ship ment of bananas and oranges to NZ at an early date.
Mr. Wilson promised to do his best to secure a Commonwealth subsidy on imported fertilisers and emphasised that the Administration would back to the hilt, any serious movement to improve the Island’s economy.