Fiji’S Pineapple Industry

Future At Present Clouded.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

SUVA, July 10.

THE future of the pineapple industry in Fiji has been rather clouded by the shutting down of two out of the three companies, which have interests here.

However, not too much importance need be attached to this news. The Hawaiian Pineapple Co. was only con ducting an experiment and, whilst it is understood that the results of that ex periment were successful in so far as the ability of Fiji to produce the high grade of pineapple required was suc cessfully demonstrated, circumstances entirely unconnected with Fiji have forced the Hawaiians to abandon the idea of extensive operation in Fiji.

It is rumoured that out of 13,000,000 cases of pineapples packed in Hawaii last season, something like 8,000,000 cases are still in store. The Hawaiian winter pack was simply not packed—it was destroyed.

What with the increase in value of the dollar and protective duties every where within the British Empire, Ha waiian prospects for the coming season are the reverse of golden.

The Fijian Pineapple Co. (mainly Auckland interests) has passed into the hands of a receiver for the debenture holders. It is common knowledge that the late Mr. Alfred Nathan guaranteed the Company for something over £20,000 and naturally, on his death, the guar antee has had to be called up.

The receiver hopes to dispose of the Company as a going concern, and, for the sake of Fiji, it is to be hoped that he will be successful. However, the Company operates on the plantation policy, i.e., grows its own pineapples, and, moreover, is situated in the wetter zone climatically. It has had a pretty substantial burden of overhead charges to carry right from the commencement.

For those reasons alone, it would be quite illogical and unfair to view un favourably the prospects of the pine apple industry in Fiji.

The fairer test of what the future holds is to be seen in the progress of West. Coast Pines, situated, as the name implies, on the west coast of the main island of Fiji. Nadi is in the dry zone (that is, comparatively and climatic ally!) and the pines are grown by ten ant farmers, the Company restricting itself to canning. The capital has been

almost entirely subscribed locally and the Board of Directors, management, etc, are entirely local people, It is literally true that at present the Company has more orders in hand than it can fill, has had nothing but praise of the quality of its article, and is ob taining what seems to be a remunera tive price.