Fiji’S Future

“All the Eggs in One Basket”

Letter to the Editor.

WITH reference to my letter which was published in your October issue, un der the heading of “Scope for Development in Fiji,” I notice with some surprise the contribution was not published in its en tirety.

No comparison was intended, nor at tempt made to compare the Fiji Adminis tration with that of Australia at the pre sent day. But most certainly an effort was made to contrast the methods em ployed in Fiji in developing a new country with this of Australia in the early or pioneering days, and I can see no rea son to alter my assertion that Crown Colony methods, as carried out in Fiji, do not appeal to the average Australian.

Also, I have reason to believe I am by no means alone in this view.

With regard to the “taxation burden, in Fiji being negligible,’” I would, with all deference to you, point to the old saying, “One must live with a man to really know him.” This is very applicable in the present contention.

As a matter of fact, at the moment Fiji has all her eggs in one basket—viz., Sugar —as both the copra and banana industries are moribund, if not actually dead.

Should the Colonial Sugar Co. happen to cease operating, this Colony would sinK like a stone.

This must be apparent to the authori ties; yet, as previously pointed out, no attempt is made to encourage other prim ary industries, of which there are several suitable for the climate.

From the tenor of the note under re view, it would appear, the contention is that, because Fiji is in a sound financial position, extravagant and wasteful ad ministration is justified.

With regard to the financial aspect of the Colony, it may be said that, according to reports, there was a surplus of revenue of about £18,000 on last year’s operations. But a casual perusal of the pub lished figures reveals that over £12,000 of this amount was saved by starving the Public Works Department, thus pre venting necessary maintenance work being carried out. This may be con sidered good finance, but it does not re quire much intelligence to imagine what this may mean in the way of future out lay for the maintenance of public build ings, roads, bridges, etc.

The reason why European or white settlers are not “pouring into the Colony” is not far to seek, as it is purely owing to the peculiar land policy, which prac tically means the locking up of the land.

Leaseholds only are available, and the rent and tenure are such, that at the expiration of the full term of the lease, the holding, with all improvements, run ning perhaps into four figures, is to be handed over to the Fijians, who own the land, free, gratis, and for nothing. Is it likely, under these alluring conditions, practical European farmers would make Fiji their home?

I am quite at one with you, Mr. Editor, as to the deplorable and unsatisfactory condition of present day politics in Aus tralia, which, to my mind, has been wholly and solely brought about by the introduction of payment of members; one adult one vote; and a pernicious sys tem of party government. Besides it is very doubtful whether Federation was an unmixed blessing.

I am, etc.,

Richd. B. Howard.

Navua, Fiji. 11/11/’33.