Fruiterers’ Threat to Boycott Bananas

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 710, 9 July 1929, Page 1

Fruiterers’ Threat to Boycott Bananas

“PRICE WAS TOO HIGH” SELLING FREELY TODAY If Auckland fruiterers had carried out their expressed intention of boycotting the banana shipment that arrived by the Tofua last evening few bananas would have gone into city shops today. However, it was not carried into effect, and Tofua bananas were selling freely this morning. Dissatisfaction -with the prices that have to be paid for green bananas is said to have existed, and the question has been discussed at some length by tbe executive of tbe fruit retailers’ association. The last shipment was sold ex ship for 27s and at this price it is claimed that even when retailed at sixpence a pound retailers suffer a loss, a certain percentage of the fruit being lost in ripening. Fruiterers considered that the price ex ship should be 19a a case, and an effort was made to have the price fixed at something near this amount. It is stated that a plan to boycott the shipment was proposed, and the co-operation of the white, Chinese and Indian retailers was obtained. It is said that with the exception of one retailer, a Chinese, all consented to observe the boycott. Interviewed this morning, Mr. W. Shearer, president of the retailers’ association, said he had nothing to say beyond the fact that satisfactory negotiations had been made with the merchants. Green bananas were sold this morning ex ship for 22s 6d. The Tofua, which unloaded a banana shipment this morning brought 11,000 cases. This Is considered a short shipment, the average at this time of the year being 16,000. Owing to the weather causing delay, a portion of the cargo did not arrive in time for shipment and some 1,100 cases missed the boat. Interviewed this morning, a prominent merchant stated that as far as he was aware there was no friction between merchants and retailers. Shipments varied considerable, he said, and it also had to be remembered that Auckland was practically the New Zealand market as far as fixing the price was eo_nerned. The Auckland city retail trade, although big, did not represent 20 per Cent, of the shipments. He said that the price, 22s 6d, was fixed on the wharf by the importers this morning. Quite a lot of ripe fruit is available at present and this also has a tendency to make the green supplies shorter than usual.