Fiji’S Finances

Deficit is Not Depressing.

A Very Cheery Outlook.

From Our Own Correspondent.

SUVA, February 16.

APPROXIMATE figures are now avail able for the Colony’s financial year of 1931. Revenue was approximately £557,000 and expenditure £601,000. There was thus a shortage on the year of £44,000 and the Colony’s surplus bal ance was reduced from £187,500 to £143,500.

As the expenditure for 1931 included at least £20,000 in respect of storm damage and unforeseen Indian repatri ation, the results are greatly to the credit of the Government, who, in 1931, managed to reduce the expenditure ap proved by the Legislative Council in 1930 by the extraordinary sum of £40,000.

His Excellency, the Governor, Sir M.

Fletcher, K.C.M.G., addressing the Legis lative Council on February 16, said, “the prospects for the present year are good; the season has been favourable for planting and growth, and large in creases in crops are anticipated.”

We are indeed having a bounteous season, truly a reaction from the sea sons of the past couple of years. There has been more rain in the sugar dis tricts since the beginning of the year to date than there was during the whole of 1930. The sugar cane has got so far ahead that in some cases it has actu ally fallen; but, taking it generally, crop prospects everywhere in the sugar districts point to a crop for 1932 which will be very close to a record.

The Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Ltd., are paying out for this year’s crop at precisely the same rate per ton as in previous years. This money goes into the pockets of our Indian cane-growers, and they should be in a very good state financially at the end of this year.

Just at present, owing to droughts, hurricanes and floods, the stores in the sugar districts are having a very thin time; but another six months will see the corner turned.

There are bananas to burn all over Fiji; whilst reports from all coconut plantations are in cheerful strain.

Copra is quoted in London at £17 a ton.

In fact, as I write this, it seems to me that the sun is. shining with won derful brightness.