FARMING IN FIJI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19721, 11 December 1926, Page 23 (Supplement)

FARMING IN FIJI

PROSPECTS FOE DAIRYING. The opinion that large tracts of land it present lying idle in Fiji could be iurned into profitable dairy country was expressed by Mr N. Smith, of the King Country, who returned to Auck ’and by the Tofua last wefk after a three-mouths’ visit to the Islands. Mr Smith, who has had considerable farming experience in the Dominion, stayed at a plantation about 40 miles south of SuvU. “The land lying idle is as good ns ajjvthing in the Waikato.’’ declared Mr Smith. ‘‘Unfortunately, it is all native lease and it is very difficult Io obtain the freehold. Until settlers gain the freehold I cannot see how dairying can progress to any great extent. The cows and bullocks I saw there were in very fine condition and would do credit i anywhere. •‘lf extensive dairying were gone in for the produce could easily be consumed in the group. As far as the sye cox Id see was excellent land, covered iuf bush- The Navuti Dairy Factory -3L-ut 20 miles from Suva, was paying 1 18d a pound for butter-fat. ’ ’