Fiji Outlook.

Growing Excess of Exports Promises Early Recovery.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Aug. 20.

AS the year goes on, prospects are gradually improving.

The sugar crop promises to be a record and the mill estimates are being exceeded in every case. It is certain that the crop will be over 100,000 tons; but whether it will touch 120,000 tons and thus equal the record of 1916, seems a little doubtful.

Copra production is recovering slightly, but the cycle of hurricanes and the drought of 1930 did far more damage than was generally thought.

Reports published in the Govern ment Gazette recently show that the export of copra for the 12 months ended June 30, 1932, will total only 11,000 tons. This is a severe fall from the quantity of 33,000 tons, exported so recently as 1929.

Of course, in addition to the climatic disasters, copra planters have been severely hit by the economic hurricane.

The results of the two catastrophes may be judged from the fact that for every £100 the average coconut planter received from his plantation in 1929, he received for the last 12 months just £16/12/6.

The following are the official trade figures, showing imports and exports, for the six months ended June 30, 1932, and the same period in 1931;

1931. 1932. £ £ Total imports 486,599 353.383 Total exports 351,759 419,920 Details of exports — Sugar 152,490 248,276 Copra 119,754 61,279 Bananas 19,320 34,162 Troeas 3,840 6,100 Others 53,812 68,021