Fortunate Fiji Shows Another Surplus

Record Sugar Crop; Gold Production Doubled

THE finances of the Colony of Fiji con tinue to show the fruit of the careful planning and budget balancing of the last decade. Opening the Legislative Council at Suva on October 23, the Acting-Gover nor (Hon. Juxon Barton) announced that the surplus for 1936 was £49,708, that the accrued surplus was £403,124, and that the estimated surplus for 1937 was £48,018.

The figures for 1936 and 1937 are:

The rise in ordinary expenditure for 1937 is due mainly to increases in the Medical Department, Education, and Recurrent Public Works. A comprehensive building programme, under the heading of Public Works Extraordinary, will be financed from the Accumulated Surplus. Included in this proposed expenditure are grants for the following: Light for Turtle Rock (Nadi Bay), £2,000; Vessel for Lau, £3,000; Mau Quarry, £14,000; Improvements to Colonial War Memorial Hospital, £20,000; Tavua Township, £5,500; and New Phar macy, £7,300.

A census held in April last showed that the population of Fiji was then 198,379.

In 1881 the Fijians numbered 114,748, but steadily decreased until 1905, when they numbered 86,800. A gradual increase took place until 1917, but fell again after the influenza epidemic to its lowest point in 1919-1920, being 82,000. Since then there has been a steady improvement.

In 1921, the Indian population totalled 60,634, and at the 1936 census 85,002. The number of Indians born in the Colony is now 60,856, or 71.59 per cent, of the total.

The Chinese number 1,751, compared with 910 in 1921, and the Rotumans 2,816, compared with 2,235 in 1921.

In the 1921 census persons of mixed European and Native descent were 2,781, and at the last census 4,574, an increase of 1,793, which brings the total of this section of the community ahead of that of the European section.

In 1881, the European section of the com munity numbered 2,671; in 1921, it was 3878; and this year, 4,028, an increase of 150 in the 15 year period.

The main sex distribution figures are:

1936 1937 £ £ Revenue 741,016 727,649 Expenditure . . . 668,968 679,631 Surplus 72,048 48,018 Expenditure from Surplus Funds . . 22,340 138,355 Net Surplus . . . 49,708 Excess of Expenditure 90,337* * Excess of expenditure over revenue is to be met from the Accumulated Surplus.

This was made up as follows: Fijians 97,651 Indians 85,002 Other nationalities 7,124 Persons of mixed European and Native descent ... 4,574 Europeans 4,028

Males Females Fijians 49,869 47,782 Indians 48,246 36,756 Persons of mixed European and Native descent 2,325 2,249 Europeans 2,263 1,765

Sugar Production Up.

The estimated sugar production for 1936 is 144,000 tons, and it is thought that the “carry-over” to 1937 will be around 25.000 tons. If the 1936 figure is realised, it will be 3,627 tons in excess of 1935, and will constitute a record. Prospects for 1937 are somewhat affected by drought.

The banana industry has maintained its position, exports to New Zealand to date having exceeded the quota by 45,000 cases.

The trade with Canada has continued satisfactorily, but exports are limited be cause only monthly shipments are possible.

Good coconut crops are recorded, and the estimated exports for the year include 30.000 tons of copra. Fijians have shown an interest in the small, cheaply-con structed hot-air drier designed by the Agricultural Department.

Operating companies on the Tavua and Yanawai goldfields report steady progress.

Gold production to September 30 amounted to approximately 13,000 ounces, compared with 6,728 ounces in 1935.

Customs Returns

For the eight months ended August 31, the Colony’s trade amounted to £2,040,728. which was £251,550 in excess of the corre sponding period for 1935. Trade figures are as follows:

This increase is due, in the main, to bet ter ruling prices for sugar and copra, and a consequent increased spending power.

There was a general rise in all imports, except drapery, which dropped £19,974 in value.

Public Works.

During the year needed public works were carried out, and steady progress is re ported in connection with the programme of extensive works in the Colony drawn up in 1935.

The last two piers of the sub-structure of the Rewa Bridge are now being built and it should be open to traffic in February next. The work of preparing the plans, etc., for the new Government buildings is well in hand. The site acquired, adjacent to Albert Park, has been reclaimed and levelled.

New buildings completed include a Bac teriological Laboratory, a Customs shed at Levuka (with a capacity of 1,500 tons), and a Post Office at Nausori. A six-inch water main was installed for the Namoli area, Lautoka. This has remedied a very un satisfactory state of affairs.

Eight months of Excess over 1936 1935 £ £ Imports . . . 981,536 189,588 Exports (produce) . 998,075 59,055 Re-Exports 61,117 2,907