H—3OA

Pineapples The departure of troops, together with increased plantings, enabled Fiji and Tonga to export much larger quantities than in recent years. Supplies of Australian pineapples should also be much larger now that allied troops have left. Unfortunately, however, the ships have not been available to bring these supplies to New Zealand, but it is anticipated that during the coming year much larger quantities will be imported. Importations for the last two years were as follows :

Kumaras Owing to hurricanes and lack of shipping, Niue Island was not able to export any kumaras during the year which ended on 31st March, 1945. Nevertheless, the Natives have again taken up kumara-growing for export, and were able to make small shipments this year. With a regular shipping service it is expected that much larger quantities will be imported during the coming year. The Division was able to arrange for two shipments of kumaras from Fiji and Tonga, but as the kumaras were found to be infested with the kumara weevil further importations were prohibited by the Department of Agriculture. Total importations were :

Supplies to South Island It has frequently been found difficult to supply the South Island expeditiously, owing to transport delays, and, in consequence, some deterioration has occurred. Proportionate to population, the South has, however, been well served, as these figures for year ended 31st March, 1946, reveal: —

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Source of Supply. Year ended 31st March, 1945. Year ended 31st March, J 946. Cases. Percentage. Cases. Percentage. Australia Tonga Fiji 2,750 761 . 1,300 57-16 15-82 27-02 3,072 4,229 6,085 22-94 31-60 45-46 4,811 13,386

Source of Supply. Year ended 31st March, 1946. 501b. Bags. Percentage. Niue Tonga Fiji 449 1,527 191 20-72 70-46 8-82 2,167

Total for New Zealand (Cases). South Island. Oases. Percentage. Bananas Oranges Grapefruit Lemons Pineapples 269,592 182,637 7,766 85,328 .13,386 72,910 59,400 1,800 35,560 2,306, 27-0 32-5 23-2 41-7 17-2