Copra Flourishing; Others

Fiji Industries

Copra Flourishing; Others in Good Condition

DESPITE war conditions, the primary industries of Fiji retain remarkable strength and vigour. The following summary, covering the activities of 1941, was prepared some time ago by the Suva Chamber of Commerce, and published recently in the “Fiji Times”.

Owing to war conditions, it is impos sible to present the usual form of report on the commercial conditions of the Colony for the past year. Customs sta tistics are not yet available, as many of the Customs staff have been absent from their duties and engaged on military work. Financial figures for the year are also not yet published.

Sugar

For similar reasons, it is not possible to show the destination of exports, dur ing the year. The production in 1941 was severely limited, and the industry was obliged to make many adjustments to meet the unprecedented circumstances.

The arrangements made under which all cane was purchased can be consid ered as very satisfactory.

A moderate crop only is in sight for 1942. There are many reasons for this, among which may be mentioned the very low rainfall in the main producing districts over the last ten months.

Gold

Activities at the three principal mines (Emperor, Loloma and Mount Kasi) have continued, but the management of the two former companies have an nounced their intention to suspend the payment of dividends for the present.

Copra

This industry, which a year ago appeared to have collapsed entirely, has revived quite unexpectedly owing to the loss of the Philippine and Malayan sources of supply. The Government has been able to make arrangements through the Ministry of Production, whereby the whole of the output of the Colony, and of the Western Pacific High Commis sion territories, has been sold at a price of £lB (Fiji) f.o.b.

It is hoped that buying prices of £l5/15/- for first-grade and £l4/14/- for FMS copra, which are now being offered will restore the production of the Colony in the near future to somewhere near the 35,000 tons per annum once reached.

It is realised that many plantations have, by compulsion, been neglected and that it will take some months for cleaning up to be done, but the immediate prospects for copra planters are brighter than they have been for the past ten years.

Pineapples

The canning industry is still progress ing, although exports have been ham pered by shipping difficulties.

Bananas

The hurricane of February, 1941, re duced exports of bananas to a negligible figure, but the areas have recovered and moderate shipments are again being made.

Shipping

Regular shipping services have natur ally been affected by war conditions, but the Colony is fortunate that supplies have been maintained.

An ordinary meeting followed the annual meeting, the following officers being elected: President, Sir Maynard Hedstrom; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. ♦Barker and J. Trotter; secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. W. Aidney; auditor, Mr. A. E. Pearce.