FIJI’S FUTURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 313, 26 March 1928, Page 11

FIJI’S FUTURE

LARGER POPULATION WANTED PROSPEROUS TIMES AHEAD Fiji wants a large population. The soil is wonderfully fertile and will grow almost anything. Her dairying industry, started only a few years ago, is growing by leaps and bounds, and has a wonderful future before it. THESE were some of the opinions expressed yesterday by Sir Henry Scott, K.C., a member of the Elective Legislative Council of Fiji, and until recently Attorney-General, who is on his way to Australia on holiday. Sir Henry will spend some time in New Zealand on his return. He is an ardent fisherman and among other places will visit Wanganui, where his son is at college. According to Sir Henry,. Fiji is in a prosperous state, and the year promises to be a good one, especially for copra and sugar. The dairying industry has passed the experimental stage. “Fiji can produce beef as fine as anywhere in the •world,” he said yesterday on the Aorangi. “It is quite common to see a dressed beast turn the scale at I,ooolb. The grass is luxuriant and admirably suited to cattle raising. “The pineapple industry will do well if we embark on only a small scale. Our canned product is superior in flavour to that of Hawaii. This has been proved by experiment. Fiji could supply all New Zealand's pineapple requirements quite comfortably.” In referring to the need for a larger population in Fiji, Sir Henry said that the question was how to attract people. He advised intending settlers to go there for a holiday and see the country for themselves. This can be done at a relatively small cost. Sir Henry is enthusiastic regarding Fiji as a tourist resort. He said that from June to September are the best months, and he advises anyone going there to stay for at least a month. The attractions are many, including golf,- tennis, bowling, fishing and the most delightful excursions.