The trade in bananas between Fiji and Sydney is an extensive one, large shipments, running into many thousands of bunches of the favorite fruit, arriving in the season by steamer from the islands about every month. The Fiji Islands are situated 1900 miles from Sydney. The banana plantations at Fiji are to a great extent controlled by Chinese,and the trade in Sydney and Melboure is largely in the hands of the Celestials, who act as distributing agents. The bananas are principally shipped in bunches, but on occasions cases of the fruit are also received. Care has to be taken in the shipment of bananas as those too ripe will not carry a long voyage; so the fruit when it is unloaded on the wharves at its destination is in an unripe condition. The bananas are, howerer, placed in stores,from which the daylight is excluded as much as possible, and under the influence of low gaslight they quickly ripen, and are then ready for sale. Our illustration shows a large shipment of bananas just landed from an island steamer on a wharf in Sydney. The exports of bananas from Fiji are not given separately, but the value of the fruit sent away in 1910 (latest figures availble) was £47,301; while in the year previous (1909) it was valued at V98,491. These amounts were principally made up by bananas. So it will be readily understood that the banana export trade is a valuable one to Fiji. ... [ILLUSTRATED]
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Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wed 16 Apr 1913, Page 27
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