Fiji Indians And Ghee

From Our Own Correspondent.

SUVA, July 25.

A MEASURE which seeks the protec tion of the local dairy industry, and to save the Indian community from im proper impositions, was passed by the Legislative Council, when it unanimously decided to substantially increase the duty on ghee substitutes.

The original motion was to increase the duty to 5d a lb British preferential tariff, and 7½d a lb foreign; but after discussion, an amendment that the rates be fid and 9d, respectively, was carried.

The Comptroller of Customs (Mr. J. M.

Wilson), who moved the motion, said that the duty on ghee made from pure clarified milk fat would remain at the same rate, 2d per lb British and 3d foreign.

Mr. K. B. Singh, who seconded, said that the ghee substitutes being marketed were decidedly injurious to health, and besides, as many of them were made from animal fats, including, he understood, pig fat, they contravened Indian religious beliefs.

His Excellency the Governor pointed out that the motion served a double pur pose, as it was to discourage the use of ghee substitutes and afford some measure of protection to the local dairy industry, which manufactured pure ghee.

Speaking again, Mr. Singh submitted that he did not think that the increase was enough, and he would like to see the duties made 9d and 11d.

Mr. A. Barker proposed an amendment

that the duties be 6d and 9d, and after His Excellency had pointed out that it was not the object of the Government to make the duty a revenue producer, this was agreed to.