FIJIAN TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1933, Page 6

FIJIAN TRADE

BETTER CONDITIONS! VALUE OF SUGAR INDUSTRY AUCKLAND, November

A happier' future for Fiji was predicted this morning by Sir Henry Scott, K.C., a member of the Fijian Executive and . Legislative Councils, who is a through passenger to Sydney by the . liner Niagara. During Sir Henry’s business visit to Australia Lady,Scott, who arrived with him, .will .remain at Auckland. “Notwithstanding the? depression, Fiji is emerging very- well from her troubles,” said Sir Henry. Her iucovery, be said, was due to the country’s sound position, and to the careful husbanding of finances ni past years. At the end of last year there/ was a credit balance of £200,000, and it \vas hoped that there would be a similar balance this year. “Taking things on the whole, the future looks quite bright.” he said. Sugar was Fiji’s main industry, said Sir” Henry, . and it had been fortunate for growers that the- Colonial Sugar Refining Company had been able to keep up prices The sugar industry meant about £1,000,000 a. year to the colony.

An ambitious-, public! works scheme had ; been planned for next year’, subject to the approval of the' Secretary of . State, for the Colonies. The programme provided for the completion of a road right round the main island, three-quarters of which was : already laid, at a cost of £85,000; the building of the Rewa bridge, at a cost -of £BO,OOO, and the building of new government buildings at Suva to replace the present old buildings at an estimated cost of £IOO,OOO. That portion of the , road round the island already completed was , recently opened to traffic,, and was already proving, a big boom, not only to residents, but also to tourists. The road i provided a fine scenic drive, and also made accessible to visitors several excel leant fishing rivers.

The gold mining industry, which was as-yet only in its infancy, promised well, said- .Sir Henry. The laws governing ,the' industry werb very stringent,. and. no “wild rushes” would be allowed. Only persons with capital and bona fide prospectors- would;be- allowed to interest themselves jp the. industry.