Fiji Enjoying Prosperity

Sugar, Copra And Gold

is destined to play an increasingly -*■* important part in the affairs of the Pacific,” said Major Clive Joske on his arrival in Sydney in June by the Aorangi.

“On one of the main highways of the world, it is well situated strategically to become a possible naval and air force base,” he added.

Major Joske is managing director of Brown and Joske Ltd., which recently amalgamated with W. R. Carpenter and Co. He said that the advent of Carpenter and Co. into Fiji meant that another large group of Australian shareholders is now interested commercially in the group. Fiji is enjoying prosperity at the present time; both sugar and copra crops promise to touch record tonnages for the year, and gold production is still increasing.

Fiji is at present in a strong financial position, continued Major Joske. Revenue has exceeded expenditure by a consider able margin over the past few years.

“Fiji issues its own currency, and the note issue is backed by investments in sterling which more than cover the issue,” remarked the Major. “In view of the healthy state of the Currency Fund and of Fijian finances and trade, it would not be surprising to see the Colonial Office in London restore the Fijian pound to parity with the pound sterling. At present it has been arbitrarily depreciated by the Government’s action to a point halfway between the Australian pound and the pound sterling.”

Mr. Mason Warner, special travel corre spondent of the Chicago “Tribune” return ed to Sydney by the Malaita on June 19 after visiting the Solomon Islands and Rabaul to gather material for American newspapers. He said that the voyage was one of the most fascinating he had under taken in 20 years of travelling. Mr. Warn er brought back with him a large number of spears and native curios which he will present to the Famous Adventurers’ Club in Chicago.