ORANGE GROWING SCHEME FOR RAROTGNGA

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1946, Page 7

ORANGE GROWING SCHEME FOR RAROTGNGA

— Press AssociatioJi

By Telecjraph-

WELLINGTON, .May' (i. The I'arliamentarv Uiider-Secretary to tlie ITime Minister (Air. A. G. Osborne), accoinpanied by the Wecretary 1 of the lslaiul Tcrritories (Air. 0. G. ; AIcKay) will arrive in 1 taro tonga by j plane 011 May 11 aud depart on Alay ' 1 1, writes tlie Karotunga correspondent ! of tlie New Zealand Press Association ! under date of April 27. Tlie visit is keeuly awaited by the Pook Islauders as many niatters afi'ectiug their well'are will be discussed. The Prime Alinister (Air. Fraser) has requestod that wherever possible, representatives from the outer islands be brouglit to Rarotouga in order that all sections of tlie conununity may bring their dilflculties forward for discussion. The correspondent says that the New Zealand Goverunient has approved of a scheme for replanciug citrus trees in Ltaro tonga and the outer islands, which has been exceedingly well received b\ uative growcrs. It is so popular that Ihe demaml for oranga trees cannot be j coped witli. To date, however, suflicient trees liave been pianted by nativt growers in Rarotouga alone to ensure a greatly increased output. I11 live years !>()()() cases are uutieipated as increased yield, iucrcasing to 45,000 cases bv 1956. That is from present plantings. D does not include tlie plantings stiil lo be made in Rarotouga from further plants to be made available tliis yoar, uor does it include tlie operation of the scheuie in the outer islands wliere it is being introduced tliis year. The I'ulim for orauges is briglit, which means that the welfare of the people of the Cook Islands is also bright. The scheme, picturesquely described by one uative as "tlie Governmcnt doing all the work while we fold our arms, " operates as tollows: The grower provides the land and the Adniinistra- j tion advances cash bv way of wages to j the owner and liis employees for workj doue. The advances cover the entire cost of planling and bringing the trees into bearing over the ne.xt live years. J Tlie total cost to the New Zealand i Government will be about £12,000. The correspondent says that the j Alaui Pomare, which arrived 011 April i 27, brouglit badly needed supplies of j j flour, butter and fresh nveat, all of ! which had not been on sale in Raro- j tonga for weeks. The vessel.is liftingl 3000 cases of oranges and 2000 cases o'i I other citrus fruit, such as grape fruit' and leuious, for New Zealand. There will be 110 other orange shipment of any size from Rarotonga tliis year as a result of the storm daniage sustained last Januarv, and failing trees. However, 1 orange shipinents will be made from the outer islands in the eoming nionths.