FIJI SUGAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1922, Page 4

FIJI SUGAR.

COMPANY’S ULTIMATUM

SUVA, February 21. 1 It has for .some time been rumoured that the Colonial Sugar Refining j Company proposed to continue business j if they could get labour at Is 6d per j day instead of 2s fid as at present. On ! Saturday the manager in Fiji, Mr Far- | quhar, released the terms, or it nray j be called “the ultimatum,” under 1 which the Company is prepared to J carry on. First, instead of 19s per ton for cane they offer 10& per ton for 11 per cent., p.o.c.s. at Nausori, , and 10s for 13 per cent, p.0.c.5., at Hautoka, Rarawai, and Labasa, subject to deductions of any tax an Biigar within the colony. It is stated that “it is impossible for the company to offer more favourable terms.” !

Even these prices, which aw about 50 per cent, more than the past, season’s • price, are tentative and only promised ! “if the export taxes on sugar and molasses be remitted in respect of the exports arising from the coming season’s manufacture, and provided no 1 additional taxation be imposed,” which is certainly not very encouraging to the Indian cane farmers. As for the labour, a further circular states that after Saturday next, February 2oth., the bonus of 6d a day will be abolished and the basic wages j reduced to Is 6d per day. As a “sop” j the company offers “for the remainder of the year” to supply the Indian , labourers with sharps at 2d per lb. and sugar at lid per lb. 1 Such is the position facing th*. colony, i It is generally believed that the Indians will refuse the terms, and that there will lie no work after Saturday. Circumstances do not lavour the com- j pany’s move. Tire presence of the In- j dinn Commission in Fiji is construed by ' the coolie to mean the securing of higher wages than he is now -receiving. Ho knows not and cares not whether sugar has dropped from £23 10a to £lO. The Indian Government has sent the Commission to help the coolie against “the company” and must prevail. That is the general opinion among the Indians already, and in fact since tlie Commission arrived many Indians have ceased to work and are showing quite an arrogant air of independence. Suva is full of Indian agitators from all over tlie aolony, and the extremists are busy as Bees encouraging the hope of equal status and larger wages. It will thus be seen that the position is a serious one for Fiji. Tt is very unlikely that the men will accept work at the pre-war scale of wages. The only hope would be in the Commission advising work, and from what the members have already said in pnhli c they are very unikely to do that. Tt is in a way regrettable that the Commission came at all, because of the

false hopes their coming has raised

a'mong their countrymen. On the other hand some people are glad, as they say the members of the Commission will see for tliomsclvos how matters develop under strike conditions. It certainly will place the Commissioners in a very delicate position. The Government have made no open move yet. They recognise that so far the position is a matter between the company and its employee. The Government does not expect any material benefit from the visit of the Commission. Tf the Colonial Sugar Refining Comnauy close down, the very foundation of the colony will be shaken So serious, will be the position flint, tlie bottom will fall out of the colony’s revenue, and unemployment will be rife. The Government, with a view of being prepared for such .an emergency, have placed the whole position before the Secretary of State, and it is reported have also suggested that an Imperial loan may be provided to allow the Government to purchase the company’s Interest and convert the sugar business into a Government venture.—Auckland “Star’s” Correspondent.