ISLAND FRUIT TRADE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1070, 6 September 1930, Page 6

ISLAND FRUIT TRADE

MAUI POMARE TO SAIL AGAIN IN OCTOBER COQK ISLANDS REPORT Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. The estimate of £26,900 for the Cook Islands was considered in the House of Representatives this morning. The Minister in charge, Sir Apirana Ngata, stated that the Island vessel, Maul Pomare, would resume her service in October. She had not been as well constructed as she might have been for the work, but now that she had been reconditioned it was hoped that she would have a better run. She was intended primarily to benefit New Zealand and there should be no complaint if there was an annual loss of a few ihousands on her service. He had no doubt the Government would have to pay more in the way of subsidy to private enterprise to obtain the same service. With regard to accommodation in other vessels for fruit he had approved the secretary of the department visiting Australia in order to examine the plant in use there for marketing Australian oranges. Unless something was done to ensure the Cook Island fruit arriving in better condition there was a danger of losing the trade to California on the one hand and to Australia on the other. Representations had been made to the Union Company to improve the accommodation in its vessels for fruit and lie believed this should be made a condition with respect to the contract for the mail service. Sir Apirana said he hoped to visit the Cook Islands so that he could view : the various problems through the eyes of the Islanders themselves, i The Cook Islands vote was passed i and the estimates of £14,856 for the Native Trustee’s Account, £103,421 ■ for the Government. Insurance Ac- • count and £40,564 for the State Fire Insurance Account were approved • practically without debate.