Fiji’S Trade

Substantial Increase In Nine Months’ Turnover

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Nov 28.

AN increase of £265,227 in the trade of Fiji for the nine months ended Sep tember 30, compared with the same period last year, is shown in returns just issued.

The total trade for the period was £2,448,668, compared with £2,183,441 up to September 30, 1935.

The figures were: 1935 1936 Imports 911,805 1,099,697 Exports 1,271,636 1,348,971 Total 2,183,441 2,448,668 The balance of trade in favour of the Colony is therefore £249,274. It is antici pated that there will be a big export of sugar in the last quarter so that the favourable balance should be greatly in creased by December 31.

Figures in connection with imports were as follows: 1935 1936 £ £ Value 911,805 1,099,697 Duty 256,879 302,897 Wharfage 7,406 9,237 Tonnage Duty 2,228 2,414 The increase in the value of imports is due, no doubt, to the large quantities of valuable mining machinery brought into the Colony by the big companies operating on the Tavua goldfield.

Export Figures are as follows: Sugar.—l 936, 80,382 tons (1935, 91,085); value: 1936, £808,211 (1935, £903,787).

Copra.—l 936, 24,013 tons (1935, 20,589): value: 1936, £266,170 (1935, £172,441).

Bananas.—l 936, 114,640 cases (1935, 105,468) 1936, 14,920 bunches (1935, 8,383); value, 1936, £63,526 (1935, £44,974).

Molasses.—l 936 16,012 tons (1935, 10,521); value: 1936, £16,012 (1935, £10,521).

G01d.—1936, 12.007 ounces (1935, 3,958); value: 1936, £92,205 (1935, £31,150).

Trochus.—l936 162 tons (1935, 239); value: 1936, £12,443 (1935, £16,090).

Other Articles.—Value, 1936, £90,314 (1935, £92,673).

Totals.—Value: 1936, £1,348,971 (1935, £1,271,636).