Guaranteed Prices For
pp. 37-38 · Read in the full issue
Fiji Products
A GUARANTEED price for certain vegetable products has been in operation in Fiji since late in 1941 and has worked very satisfactorily.
“Guaranteed” prices are in no way “fixed prices” and producers are free to sell their products where they wish and at any price they can get (provided that price complies with the published legal maximum price where such has been im posed). The guaranteed price is to secure the grower against loss by sudden con traction of demand and to stimulate re gular production for military needs; In most cases the ruling market prices are half as high again as the guaranteed price.
In December, 1941, the following guar antees were offered: dalo, £5 per ton; kumalas, £4.10 per ton —both commodities delivered at Suva, Nausori, Korovou or
Sigatoka. Yams were.* guaranteed at £8 per ton at Suva; and £7 per ton at Nausori, Korovou and Sigatoka.
In 1942, guaranteed prices for yams, dalo and kumalas were raised to £9, £6, and £6 respectively at Suva, Nausori and Sigatoka. Guarantees have since been issued for the purchase of maize at £1 per four-bushel bag, naked, at Dobuilevu, Ra and Labasa, but only in respect of contracts with individual growers.
The Fiji Supply Board has now author ised a guaranteed price to rice growers.
Padi will be purchased at £l5 per ton, delivered in bags to any mill in Viti Levu.
This guarantee will be effective until December 31, 1944.
Mr. Jack Salzmann, of the New Guinea Anglican Mission, has been transferred to Menapi, Papua, to take charge of the station during the absence of the Rev. F.
H. T. Lane, who is at present in the south on furlough. Just before leaving his former station at Wanigela, Mr. Salz mann saw a volcanic eruption close inland. During the eruption smoke and debris were hurled up many thousands of feet.
Mr. J. D. (“Bilo”) Williams, of Levuka, Fiji, died in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, on January 27, at the age of 59. He was an employee of Morris Hedstrom Limited, at Levuka. He is sur vived by a wife and a grown-up family.
The Rev. Oliver Brady, principal of St.
Aidan’s College (Anglican Mission), arrived from New Guinea at the end of January, on furlough. The college is now in charge of the Rev. Hugh Andrew.