Grow Bananas

They Wan to Grow Bananas For NZ Market

THE desirability (or otherwise) o: growing bananas in the oute] islands of the Cooks came uj for heated discussion at the end-of the-year session of the local Legis lative Council.

Generally, outer-island members were in favour of growing this fruii for the NZ market; while official dom turned thumbs down.

Member for Mangaia, Pokinc Aberahama, moved: “That in view of the fact that Fruit Distributors Ltd. have shown no valid reason why they cannol accept bananas from the outer islands, the New Zealand Govern ment be asked to bring pressure tc bear on them to ensure that bananas produced in the outer islands, par ticularly in Aitutaki and Mangaia. be purchased; to take effect when the new vessel is in service”. [The new vessel the member referred to was that proposed to replace the aged Maui Pomare. The latest news concerning the new ship is that the NZ Cabinet has approved the call ing of tenders—which means that it is still some way off].

The motion was put and carried, with the Director of Agriculture dissenting.

Last May, Mr. Ross Walker, Gen eral Manager for Fruit Distributors Ltd., visited the Cooks. He said that Fruit Distributors were not in favour of exporting bananas from the outer Cooks owing to loading and shipping difficulties.

The attitude of the Administra tion is that it cannot support any scheme for banana planting in the outer islands, as these islands are not likely to produce enough to warrant monthly shipping calls throughout the year, and they would be better advised to concentrate in the production of non-perishable crops, such as copra, coffee and pea nuts.

During his visit, Mr. Walker said that although his company was opposed to encouraging banana growing in the outer islands, it was anxious to see a revival of banana

growing in Rarotonga.-

Whp.