AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1922, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

UJBTHALIAN AWD N.Z. CABLE ASSOC IAIIO FIJI TRADE. 'Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 20. Maynard Hedstrom of Morris Hedstrom of Fiji, who is sailing to-day for Suva, said Australia had practically ruined the banana industry of Fiji, by the prohibitive duty, which incidentally inflicted a great injury on her own trade, as Fiji much preferred to trade with New Zealand, where it always received sympathy and consideration, and was treated like a big brother. If Australia desires to resume trade relationships she must admit Fiji products at reasonable rates. The speaker doubted whether the idea of carrying on the sugar industry with white labour by farmers small holdings was practicable. The scheme depended on the preference given hv New Zealand, hut that was an Imperial preference, and sugar under such conditions would he compelled to compete against that grown in other tropical parts of the Empire, with black labour. He was of the opinion that the Colonial Sugar Refining Company should have paid Indian labourers the two shillings rate not eighteen pence, even if it meant a diminished profit, as the cost of living was still high. Otherwise, the labourers would remove to non sugar districts and not he available when required later on. STATE FUNERAL. SYDNEY, April 20

V message has been received by Mill ughes stating Sir Ross Smith and Lieut Bennett will be accorded a State funeral.

U.S. TAX. MELBOURNE, April 20. Mr Pearce, Minister for Home Territories advised that the American head tax of eight dollars on travellers, will be refunded, on the latter supplying proof that they took their departure from United States within sixty days.