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CARNARVON TROPICAL FRUIT.
To the Editor.
Sir. — It. has been pleasing. to find; that
many read the article on -the above subject
in 'The West; Australian' even though
some may not have appreciated the main
points stressed, as jn the case of 'Sanitjr
in your issue of Friday. Had that writer
been conversant with the industry in Java
or on the Gascoyne the letter would not
have been written.
May I be permitted to point out that
the commercial aspect of the industry had
no place in the article dealing with the'
peculiar and particular features which be
long to it in this State. At the same time
I feel sure that 'Sanity' and others in
terested will be delighted to know that
Carnarvon is producing- bananas at a lower
acre cost (40 per cent lower) than Queens
land or :New South Wales. .
Bananas at Carnarvon are not being
grown 'under- heartbreaking and 'cer
tainly* hothouse conditions.' There is
no such condition as could be compared
with hothouse circumstances. The whole
object is to ?improve oil nature and over
come the disabilities presented.- In this
way the erection of wind breaks and the
application of water ? are ' comparable with
any provision against frost, or maybe,
drought elsewhere, and in other climes'
and industries. Conservation of fodder
for lean periods, the irrigation of fodders,
drainage . of sour land, top-dressing, prun
ing—these and. numerous other farming
occupations are merely endeavours to over
come disadvantages and 'improve Pn
nature. '. ' :
I would also like to dispel the notion
that 'bananas may be bought at a silver
coin- a bunch' a. few' days sail away.
Freights and other costs, quite apart from
-duty, are suchi when added to the initiVl
cost of the bana-na -at 'Java., to render.it
possible to .produce the fruit here on* a
competitive' basis with that country. Trop
ical Traders, who' are. the chief importers'
of the Javanese product, have now large
interests ;in Carnarvon and are developing
there on a very, large iirid'ambitious. scale.
As the quantity of the Carnarvon fruit
becomes equal to .our. consumption, the
quantities, from Java .will diminish, and,
we trust; finally disappear.
The -loyal' use of Carnarvon fruit will
cheapen the banana to West Australian
consumers in addition to helping a local
industry which has increased our northern
population by 50 families. Years of the
trade with Java' has not employed even
that number of individuals, but it has
meant the sending of up to £15,000 a year
to Canberra, wliich the eating regularly
of Carnarvon fruits will help to overcome.
—Yours, etc., JOSEPH SCOTT.
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