AFFAIRS IN FIJI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 183, 9 January 1912, Page 8

AFFAIRS IN FIJI.

A VISITOR'S DEPRESSIONS. { ISLANDERS KEEPING PACE WITH THE TIMES. J Masterton, January 6. Mr. D. Parton, of the engineering branch of the New Zealand .Telegraph Department, who has just returned from Fiji, where he, was carrying out important telegraph work for the Fijian Government, having been "loaned" to the | latter by the New Zealand Government, had something interesting to say about ( the administration of 'Fiji to a New Zealand Times' reporter. "The question of annexation," said] Mr. Parton, "by either New Zealand or; Australia receives a good deal of atten- j tion in commercial circles owing to the ' difficulties experienced in settling certain questions without reference to the Imperial authorities. If a doubt exists as to how and from where Fiji should be administered, it is •ertain that the present arrangement could be improved upon. Downing street may be a success in most matters, but it apparently fails to grasp the requirements and possibilities of Fiji." Financially the colony is buoyant. The present Governor, Sir Henry May, has ieen greatly handicapped, but is proving an able administrator, and if a success i tan .be made of colonising so far removed from headquarters, Sir Henry May will be instrumental in bringing this about. The Governor and- Lady May are. exceedingly popular throughout the islands. A land policy, tourist and railway development are engaging the attention of the Government at the present time, and promise to do more for the colony than" anything so far accomplished. Wire telegraph and telephone extensions are already well advanced, and in connection with the latter system great advancement all over the mainland is contemplated. The whole of the underground and aerial systems- connected with the Suva telephone exchange were installed by officers of the New Zealand Telegraph Department, and another exchange has been authorised by the Government on the recommendation of Mr. Parton. Reports on longer "circuits, 'for the opening up of many inland" settlements, were also made. Three wireless stations are in full swing, and are very ably staffed. The Marconi 00. installed each of these plants, and Mr. Parton took them over and managed them on behalf of the Fijian Government.

In regard to the copra industry, Mr. Parton said that copra, which is the white portion of cocoanuts, is used in soap, butter, and oil manufacture, and the ruling price at Home stands £27 10s per ton. At present planters are reaptag a good harvest. Their price is usually £9 less than the Home figure. Ony may estimate the value of the land suited for copra growing from the fact that an estate in rough condition with a quarter-mile frontage and a mile deep (recently changed hands at £IOOO. Most of the land is leased from the natives through the Government. Great difficulty and delay are experienced in effecting transfers.

Mr. Parton will return to Wellington on Monday. f