Fiji “Wild Cats” Checked

No Speculation in Mining Permits Allowed Until Values are Proved

THERE appear to be interesting de posits of gold in Fiji—on the Tavua field, near the northern coast of Viti Levu, and on the Tanawai field, in the south west of Vanua Levu. No one knows yet whether these are really rich fields—they appear to be profitable. All deposits must come close to being profitable, while gold maintains its present record price in terms of sterling.

There seems to be a curious charm about the name of “Fiji gold.” Or does the excitement lie in the name of Theodore? It is a fact that, ever since it was seen that Mr. E. G. Theodore (the Labour

politician whose cleverness and long vision made him a very rich man) was interested in Fiji gold, Fiji developments have been followed feverishly by Aus tralian speculators.

The “boom” commenced about Novem ber. All sorts and conditions of people began to rush off from Australia to Fiji and seek some sort of title over land near the area taken up by the Theodore- Costello interests; and by the end of De cember there were Fiji wild-cats prowling, naked and unashamed, in Pitt Street and Collins Street.

People were falling over each other in

their eagerness to invest, when the Gov ernor of Fiji (Sir Murchison Fletcher) and his responsible Council stepped in, and effectively put a stop to the shear ing of the tender lambs. (The metaphor is getting mixed! Shall we say that the swallowing of the innocent lambs by the sophisticated wild cats received a check?) The Fiji Government very wisely de cided that no person, syndicate or com pany should have the right to hold and exploit mining land until it had been clearly shown that such land contained gold of value.

The baffled wild-cats are snarling and cursing: but everyone who is jealous of the good name of Pacific Islands gold mining will heartily commend the action of Fiji officialdom.

A message from Suva, published in Syd ney on February 25, stated that the Fijian prospecting board will not consider appli cations for prospecting licences on the Tavua and Yanawai goldmining areas for the present. A number of applications has been made on behalf of Australian in terests.

The Fijian Government’s goldmining policy is published officially in the “Fiji Royal Gazette” of February 15. The Gov ernment invites the co-operation of pri vate enterprise in the proving and extrac tion of Fiji’s gold deposits, and it will assist genuine enterprise by all reasonable means. It intends, as far as lies in its power, to prevent any form of specula tion which may tend to damage the colony’s good name. It is proposed to amend the law in order to enable the Gov ernment to issue a prospecting licence for such term as it may think fit. A prospect ing licence is not transferable, except upon conditions approved by the Govern ment. The holder of a prospecting licence has a prior right to a mining lease, but a mining lease will not be granted unless reasonable evidence is produced that the gold is present in payable quantities within the area which it is desired to lease, and that the applicant possesses or commands sufficient working capital. It may be made a condition that suitable ex traction plant shall be installed.

The proclamation continues: “Rumours have reached the Government regarding proposals which are being made for the sale of Tavua prospecting licences. All existing Tavua licences expire on June 1, 1935, they are not renewable, and they cannot be transferred except upon con ditions approved by the Government, and interested parties are warned that they should ascertain those conditions before they conclude an agreement. . . . The Government is informed that certain per sons who have filed applications for pros pecting licences are endeavoring to sell non-existent rightsi. No trafficking in such applications will, in any circum stances, be recognised. ...

“Persons proposing to float companies in connections with the colony’s gold de posits are reminded that the conditions must be approved by the Government. As at present advised, the Government is of opinion that ‘no liability’ companies are undesirable. Generally speaking, it is the desire of the Government to promote by all means in its power the orderly com mercial development of the colony's gold deposits. It intends to prevent the get rich-quick type of speculation which seeks to gain unearned wealth at the ex pense of the community.”

The Cunard liner Franconia, which is carrying more than 200 passengers of all nationalities on a luxury cruise around the world, arrived in Sydney from New York on March 4. She left on March 6 for East Indies, via Port Moresby.