Fiji's Exports
p. 14 · Read in the full issue
"Curios" Now in Fourth Place
THE Fiji Trade Report for the calendar! year 1945 shows these exports (figures; indicate value):
The variations over the past five years 1 : have been remarkable. The export ol( sugar had not been less than a million for many years; and in 1942 it wan £1,761,055. But in 1945, as the result o;c the cane-growers’ strike, it was down toe half a million, and the industry is still, in the recovery stage.
The production of gold in Fiji was an, official secret during the war years. Thti figures in the years not stated above weres 1942, £816,385; 1943, £529.761; 1944, £426,452 This might suggest a dwindling industry Actually, it is the result of Australia”, punitive taxation. The Emperor anu Loloma mines are mostly Australia-owne(6 and the shareholders and directors could not see why they should dig gold out oo the Tavua hills merely to present it to thr insatiable Australian tax-gatherer. Fiji gold production will grow considerabll when taxation permits enterprise to g© a fair reward.
The Indian jewellery and curio manuu facturing industry is a new and (in vier* of the figures) startling development. I grew out of the arrival in the Colony o American servicemen. They not onli bought curios—they sent them home ir great numbers, and thus stirred up ir America a demand for regular supplies o these goods. The result is seen in tbl export of nearly £200,000 worth in 194 t There was practically nothing under the head in 1942-44.
Another new item in the export list “Coconut oil, £28,230.” This is a develop ment of 1945—there was never more tha3 £1,500 worth exported in previous years..: Miss Jessica Davis, youngest daughtd of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Davis of Suva, Fi.i' was married on May 29 to Mr. Errol W &' of Wellington, NZ.
1941 1945 £ £ Sugar 942,920 536,201 Gold bullion 1,128,884 694,950 Copra 85,168 469,177 Curios, jewellery .. 1,439 193,552' Bananas 21,887 42,954* Trochus 7,550 38,390'