FRUIT FROM FIJI.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 4

FRUIT FROM FIJI.

DIRECT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. On learning that the Waihemo was sailing early next month from Suva for New Plymouth, Messrs. Webster Bros-, got busy in order to bring down a cargo of bananas, so saving the transhipment charges at Auckland, running into over 3s per case. But they found that New Plymouth was not “a port of entry” so far as fruit U concerned. The department responsible, when appealed to, wired that “banana shipment® could only be shipped either to Wellington or Auckland for examination,’- adding that there was no fruit inspector stationed at New Plymouth. It, was pointed out to the Department that the boat was calling at neither of the big ports, and an offer was made to defray the expenses of the fruit inspector to New Plymouth, it being understood one was stationed at l Wanganui. The reply to this was the usual official one that “it could not be done.” The matter was then taken up by tpe Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, which, through the Member of the district, got into touch with the Minister, and the following reply has now come to hand: “The shipment of bananas will be admitted to New Plymouth without prejudice re further shipments.” This means that Taranaki will be able to get its bananas without paying toll to Auckland or AVellington. The chamber is now endeavoring to declare New Plymouth a “port of entry” for fruit so that there will not be tne same bother over future shipments. Statistics as to the importations of fruits, etc., are now being prepared, and will be submitted to the Minister in support of the application. % Now that a start has been made with direct shipments from Fiji there is no reason why arrangements cannot be made to regularly import Taranaki’s requirements of island fruit direct. Not only would a substantial saving be effected, but the fruit would come in much better condition.