“Food of the Wise ”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 27, 23 April 1927, Page 12

“Food of the Wise ”

Where Bananas Grow The Fijian Industry TRADE WITH NEW ZEALAND Yes, we have “Food of the Wise’’ in plenty to-day. The wiseacres of Auckland have no cause to complain that they are not getting sufficient nourishment. Twenty thousand cases of the stuff, which history insists is just what philosophers and geniuses should train on, were landed here this week. The “food of the wise’ is sold cheaply in the shops; the vendors call it simply “bananas.” Known to botanists as Musa sapientum, the banana gets it classical name from the fact that a fruit identified with it was eaten by ancient Indian philosophers, while its brother the

plantain (paradisiaca) commemorates the belief that it was the forbidden fruit of Eden. Its name is not the only romantic thing about the fruit. The New Zealand supplies are grown in the pleasant isles of Fiji and the loading of the Tofua at Suva (as may be seen in the photographs) is a strange sight to eyes used to the orderliness of Queen’s Wharf. FROM THE INTERIOR Barges, filled with bananas are brought down the big Rewa River before the arrival of the ship. Some of them are loaded from plantations 100 miles in the interior of the island and they are poled down the upper reaches of the river by the Fijian “boys.” When the stream widens the barges are taken in tow by motor launches, and are collected about the hull of the Tofua which, for a day or two deserts her role as a staid passenger ship and becomes an island trader, ringing with the laughter of the boys as they pass the cases of fruit from hand to hand with incredible swiftness. Like schoolboys they compete in the handling race and joyful squeals announce the failure of someone to “take a pass.” SUPERVISION OF PACKING Last week’s shipment was loaded under rigid inspection, and the average quality of the fruit was considered in Suva to be well above the average packed at this period of the year The authorities spare no effort in their endeavour to keep up the quality of the New Zealand cargoes, but with the loss of the Australian market it is not so easy to regulate shipments as when , growers made from four to five cuttings each month, instead of two under present circumstances. Fruit may be cut six days prior to the day of shipment, and it is usual to allow a day for shrinkage before packing. The bananas are grown principally on the mainland and are rafted on bamboo rafts or sent by punt to pre-arranged packing stations, where Government inspectors supervise the packing and have authority to reject fruit considered too poor in quality. BANANAS NEED AIR After packing the cases are put into punts and towed to Suva to the ship’s side, where loading as a rule begins at once. A further inspection is made during shipping and any cases showing ripe or immature fruit are rejected and may be repacked subject to the approval of the inspecting officer. The ship’s officers and company officials supervise the lading and see that the fruit is carefully handled and stowed. Narrow wooden battens are laid between each row of cases, and airways are left at frequent intervals between the tiers so that there is ample ventilation. When at sea huge canvas ventilators carry fresh air into the holds, which as a rule are not closed during the voyage to New Zealand. The fruit needs fresh air because it throws off a gas which, if allowed to remain in a closed space, quickly rots the bananas.