Fiji’S Trade.

1937 Returns Disclose Sound Position,

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Feb. 3.

THE remarkably sound position of Fiji’s trade is disclosed in the re turns of exports and imports for 1937. Exports totalled £2,213,657, a rise of £78,230 —due mainly to better returns for sugar and a higher gold output. Imports were £1.760,744, an increase of £258,- 890.

Details (1936 figure given in parenthe sis, for comparison):—

Customs Revenue, 1937.

An increase of £102,754 on the original es timates (£4,294 on the revised estimates) was recorded in Fiji customs revenue for 1937.

The biggest return was Import Duties, £463,- 923 —an increase of £91,923 on the original es timate and £3,563 on the revised. Port and Customs Service Tax returned £32,039. a rise of £9,039 on the original and £739 on the revised estimate. Port and Customs Service Tax brought In £17,792, an increase of £1,792 on the original estimate but a small decrease on the revised estimate.

Totals were: Revenue, £513,754; original es timate, £411,000; increase on original estimate, £102,754. Revised estimate, £509.460; increase on revised estimate, £4,302, less a decrease of £8 in one item leaving a net increase of £4,294.

Exports, 1937.

Quantity.

Sugar .. ., Copra 30,001 tons (34,582) Bananas .. 152,347 cases (150,147) Molasses .. 19,673 tons (22,576) Gold . . . 21,407 oz. (17,107) Trochus 144 tons (185) Value. £ £ Sugar 1,388,681 (1.331.701) Copra .. ..

Bananas ..

Molasses 19,673 (22,576) Gold .. .. 166,115 (131.684) Trochus .. 12,723 (14,305) Other .. ..

Total .. 2,213,657 (2,135,427)

Imports. 1937.

£ £ Value 1,760,744 (1.501,854) Duty 463,923 (418-757) Wharfage 13,717 (12,684) Tonnage Duty 2,934 (3,207)