DAIRYING IN FIJI.

Shannon News, 28 March 1924, Page 4

DAIRYING IN FIJI.

BEGINNINGS OF A GREAT INDUSTRY. ' FRIESIAN CATTLE (PURCHASED 1 FROM NEW'ZEALAND. ' It is to the credit of New Zealand j that when the dairy ihdustry is being developed in the Fiji Islands, the Dominion is chosen from all other countries in the world as the place where the best stock for the creation j of a high-class dairy herd is available, j and it is pleasing to hear the opinion . of an expert that the cattle in this I country .equal even the highly-cul-tured American herds. _ The dairying industry in Fiji is at present in its infancy, but with the realisation that there are vast possibilities in this direction, steps are pow being taken to have small holdings taken up and utilised for better producing purpores, and with the desirable object of. securing suitable stock Mr J. F. Simmonds, manager of a large pastoral company in Fiji, is at in the Dominion. P While in Palmerston North, over the week-end, Mr . Simmonds outlined the possibilities or the: mdustiy to a reporter, and in the, course ot an interesting chat, stated that hitherto very little had been done in the de- | velopment of dairying there, and what had been had been at the instigation of the Government on behalf of returned soldiers. At the present time, however, a special impetus was being given to this industry, mainly on account of the decline in the banana production through the imposition by the Commonwealth Government of a high protective tariff on the fruit, -which forced many growers out of business. The concern g he represented recently .acquired 7000 acres of rich delta land, which it was proposed to subdivide into holdings, and people with practical farmers. As well as the land, a large building had been acquired and also a cold storage plant, together with most of the necessary machinery for a butter factory. PURCHASING STOCK.

“The paramount question-that has to be considered,” said Mr Simmonds, “is that of the purchase of cattle, for although the Colonial Sugar Co. imported some Milking Shorthorns, these were allowed to run out through there being no imported bulls to preserve the heard. ' A few Friesians have also been imported, but the individual farmers who secured them have not had an opportunity of using them to any advantage. With the cows I have secured in the Dominion, together with a number of young bulls, we hope to build up our dairy herd.- The shipment which I have comprises 70 animals —■ all Friesians —S of which arc bulls and the rest females. One is the bull which , won ne North Island championship at the recent Hamilton Show, while several others arc holders of llrst prize at New Zealand shows. ; WHY FRIESIANS WERE CHOSEN.

“The reason for chosing Frisians to take to the Islands is on account of the prolific growth of the pastures there, which is so great that it is almost impossible for the smaller, type of animal to hold it down . "tVe are at present carrying approximately two cows to the acre and yet are making no headway with keeping down the growth. ! “The grass is known as para, one of-the l’anican family, and was originally imported from Mauritius. It has secured such a hold in many parts that the Sugar Company had to close down, finding it impossible to eradicate it from the cane fields.” Continuing, Mr- Simmonds, said he had been granted the privilege "of securing the stock from either Canada or New Zealand, and hod chosen this Dominion, because of its generally recognised superiority in quality of pedigree cattle. He was pleased to sav that his choice had been fully justified, for he spoke highly of, the herds he had seen in the North Island, declaring that New breeders were not obliged to go outside their own country for, purchases abroad when such high class' animals were to be secured at so reasonable a figure as was the case here. He recognised, of course, that it* was desirable to bring in a few imported bulls occasionally, but in the case of female animals, he could find no reason for the Dominion breeder going abroad. MARKETING THE PRODUCE.

In traversing the question of securing a market for the dairy produce, Mr Simmonds said there was the local market to.absorb a quantity of it, but the Canadian steamship authorities had offered to send a ship per month to take away the goods, providing the Colony would guarantee to supply 55,000 cases of bananas with each vessel. This was considered to be an easy matter, as the Island used at one time to supply SO,OOO cases per month to Australia .

“Although thi|s will mean the cutting out of New Zealand butter as far as the Islands are concerned,” said the speaker, "and probable competition in the Pacific trade, the Dominion will not b e the loser, for all machinery and stock for the development of the industry will be secured here. The production of butter has at the pi'esent time nearly reached the amount required for local consumption, and it is hoped to supply the other groups later on ”

POSSIBILITIES FOR THE

INDUSTRY.

That there is a great future for Fiji in dairyin'g is the confident belief of those interested in the venture, for, as Mr Simmonds stated, the land I 3 the best possible for the purpose, well drained, prolific in growth and having th e richness and fertility of the very best virgin soil. Labour in Fiji can be secured at 1/9 per day, which will further tend to lighten the task of the farmer, while the quality of tlie butter has been proved to compare very well with that, manufactured in New Zealand. The climatic conditions, MY Simmonds said, are ideal, and be cor*

rected the impression that the heat was too trying for the Europeans. Disease tind fever were unknown in that particular portion. There: was an abundance of rain, the annual fall approximating 125 inches, and any crops could be grown, no cultivation of the soil being necessary. proposition which is put to protective farmers in Fiji is the offer of a 25 years’ lease of the land at a rental of 10/-. per year for the first two years, 15/- per year for the next three, and £1 per year for the remaining 20 years. •‘lf we get the settlers on the land, concluded Mr Simmonds, “then we will b e back to New Zealand for more cattle," ■