Rice Still Inadequate For
pp. 51-52 · Read in the full issue
Fiji Demands
RICE is still withheld from Europeans and Fijians in Fiji, although stocks are adequate for other “traditional” rice consumers in the Colony.
Until May, 1945, stocks of rice were obtainable from Australia to supplement the locally-grown product, but in that month the Commonwealth informed the Fiji Supply and Production Board that no further shipments could be made for at least a year. It was estimated in Fiji in August, therefore, that stocks for the year would fall 1,102 tons short of de mand and it was decided to reserve stocks for the Asiatic races, who use rice as their staple diet.
The rice harvest in 1944 was the largest recorded in the Colony —15,488 tons. In 1945 it fell to 14,900, and estimates for the 1946 crop—planted about October, 1945—have not yet been made. Indians in the Colony consume about 250 lb. of rice per head per annum, or a total of 13,951 tons. Other races between them (when permitted) consume another 2,223 tons.
Should other sources of overseas sup ply become available, the local Supply and Production Board will review the present restrictions. In the meantime, Europeans and Fijians must forego their rice; and the slogan of the current issue of the Fiji “Agricultural Journal” is “Grow More Rice!” === Suva, Fiji, had 19 wet days during November—the wettest of them being on November 4 when 5.4 in. of rain fell. On the same day 6.79 in. were recorded at Suva Point.
Mr. Robert Munro, a Suva solicitor, has been appointed a temporary European nominated member of the Colony’s Legis lative Council.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Herbert-Hughes have gone to the Trobriands, in Eastern Papua, where he has taken over the management of the well-known Muwo plantation. Mr. Herbert-Hughes went to Papua some months ago, bound for the Conflict group, but he had to wait 11 weeks for transport. He signed on a team of native labourers. After they had waited five weeks for transport, Mr.
Eddie Ward’s “Black Fifteenth” was an nounced, and all the boys had to be paid off. The disgusted Mr. Herbert-Hughes turned his face back towards Australia, and the Conflicts estate was sold to Steamships Trading Co., Ltd. Then the chance to go to the Trobriands presented itself, and he altered his plans again.