COMPLAINTS FROM FIJI.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3507, 21 June 1920, Page 6

COMPLAINTS FROM FIJI.

SKEW ZEALAND ‘ 4 UNFRIENDLY: THREAT OF TAX ON SUGAR. SUVA,- June - 4'. J The people of tlie Islands aae feeling ■xety resentful against Australia and Zealand over tlie conditions imposed on trade with, the eolotty. They contend that the trade of Fiji i belongs properly to Australia and New Zealand, and yet it is being deliberately and ruthlessly cast aside. Last, week the Chambers of Commerce of Suva and Lcvuka unanimously passed motions condemnatory of the “selfish, cruel, and un-British action” af Australia and New Zealand, and demanding that the Government take action. Within six months one, if not two, new lines of steamers trading direct between the United Kingdom and Fiji will be inaugurated. Another line is being arranged between San Francisco and Fiji. Fiji is securing steamers of her own. and Sur-a very soon will bo the distributing centre for the Western Pacific, and Australia and New Zealand will lose the great bulk of our trade. She must buy in the cheapest market, and the neighbouring islands will be glad to do the same—in Suva, the entrepot of the Pacific. Some of the complaints against New Zealand arc as follows: —(1) the export of cement to Fiji has been prohibited, and many thousands of pounds of work is being hold up for lack of it; (2) New Zealand sells lamb to the . United Kingdom at 5d per lb, and charges Fiji lOd; (3) she sells butter to her own people at 1/5 per lb and to .Fiji at 1/10 per lb; (4) she obtains all her raw sugar from Fiji under the j “most favoured” conditions, refines it, ‘ and supplies her own people with the cheapest sugar in the world, and in Teturn refuses to fill Fiji orders for white sugar; (5) receiving the cheapest of sugar from Fiji, she supplies , Fiji with dearer jam than Australia does, with only half the freight to pay; (fi) she has practically closed her doors to Fiji for the much-needed supplies of kauri. The merchants of Fiji arc now asking the Government to take steps), either by prohibiting the export of sugar to New Zealand or by imposing a very heavy export duty, to retaliate .on New Zealand for her “selfish and (attitude.” They contend shat neither Australia nor New Zealand recognises the wealth and coming importance of Fiji. It is the wealthiest country for its size south of the line, and its business men and institutions hope that the Dominions will reconsider that Fiji, although the Cindcrlla of the trinity, is a fellow British State, and deserves a happier and more equitable treatment than she is receiving to-day.