Rice

Fiji Must Grow Its Own

RICE will be in short supply in Fiji in the coming year. Consumers were warned of this in April by the Fiji Supply and Production Board.

Local crops are normal for the current year; but, owing to increased demands, Fiji has not been able to supply all the Colony’s needs in recent years.

Australia has been the principal over seas supplier, but the Commonwealth Government has announced that all available rice will be needed by the fight ing forces in the Pacific, and also to re lieve the people of liberated Asiatic countries. . Fijian planters who have hitherto re lied on rice for labour rations are urged to plant substitute foods without delay.

The position at the moment is that Fijian consumers of rice cannot rely on supplies this year unless they produce it for themselves.