Settlement at Sigatoka

Fiji For "Retired"

People

THERE are indications that Fiji, owing to the comparatively light taxes im posed on individuals will, after the war, become a popular place of residence for Europeans from all over the world who are trying to live on comparatively small incomes derived from property or pensions. Fiji is now bier enough to pro vide most of the amenities of European life, many of which are not found in the majority of Pacific territories.

Most Europeans who have a free choice do not care for permanent residence in the town of Suva itself —it is too hot, and the rainfall is too frequent and heavy— not less than 120 in. per annum. But the Sigatoka district of the main island of Viti Levu has not got those climatic disad vantages. It has only half Suva’s rain fall. It is one of the most delightful spots, from the aesthetic viewpoint, in the South Seas; and it is already coming rapidly into favour as a situation for the homes of retired people. Many homes already have been built there, and many more are contemplated.

Sigatoka is about 90 miles west of Suva, and is at the south-western corner of the big island of Viti Levu. It is connected with Suva by a good motor road, and the journey between the two places can be made in between three and four hours.

The motor road continues on arotmd the island, through Lautoka and Ba; and after passing through the new goldfields town of Vatoukoula it returns to Suva via the mountains and the Rewa district.

Because it has been found impossible to devise a system of income taxation which will work effectively in relation to the Indian community, Fiii has given up the idea of imposing heavy income tax; and, instead, the revenues of the Colony are kept up by indirect taxation. This can be accomplished fairly simply, because all the manufactured goods required by the Colony have to be imported, and they pay a substantial revenue tax at 'the Customs House. Thus, the man with suffi cient property to ensure him a small, independent income, is not slaughtered by income-taxation, as he is in Australia and New Zealand.