Fiji Sugar Planting Reduced

Governor's Plain Warning to Indians

IT was stated in Suva, Fiji, at the end of April, that Professor C. Y. Shep hard would shortly visit the Colony to conduct an independent inquiry on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Colonies into the sugar industry.

This is the result of the recent strike of Indian cane-growers, who demand higher rates, ne will report on the existing agree ments between the Colonial Sugar Refin ing Company and cane farmers, and also recommend (a) whether any, and if so, what, modifications are desirable in the public interest in the arrangements em bodied in these agreements; and (b) what measures should be adopted to insure that the Government should at all times be in a position fully to discharge its responsibilities in this regard.

A Government notice to farmers said that Professor Shephard had asked that the parties to the recent dispute should prepare a statement of their case for him to study on arrival. He had stressed the importance of such a statement being kept strictly relevant to his terms of re ference. In order to assist farmers who may not have the necessary facilities at their disposal for the preparation of a statement of their case, the Government is making available the services of Mr, C.

Harvey, Senior Agricultural Officer.

Mr. Harvey made a tour of Viti Levu in early May in order to consult cane farmers regarding the preparation of their statements.

Professor Shephard Arrives To

Conduct Inquiry

Suva, May 26.

IN the Legislative Council to-day, the Governor (Sir Philip Mitchell) announced that Professor Shephard had arrived, and would visit all the

sugar-growing centres between June 3 and 21.

The Governor said that, whatever the result of this inquiry, the private and public duty of those previously engaged in sugar-cane production was to continue to produce, in order to meet the needs of a hungry world. He expressed doubt as to whether anything he might say now would have any more effect on those responsible for causing trouble than had any of his utterances in the past; but he warned growers that the sources of income which had assisted them when they failed to harvest their crops last season would not be available in future.

His Excellency referred to the present state of plantings for the 1945 harvest, which ranged from 15 per cent, planted at Lautoka, to 100 per cent, planted at Labasa; and giving the estimated Colony wide production of only 50 per cent, of the normal crop.

There is keen interest in Fiji in Pro fessor Shephard’s investigations; and the presence in the Colony of Dr. Harman, of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Ltd., raises hopes that the fullest considera tion will be given to the problem.

Any disturbance now is likely to come only from a few Indian leaders, and aspirants for political and other forms of prominence. They do not have much success in a contented community, so they may try to find something wrong with whatever conclusions are reached.