Trading Position

Governor's Review Shows Fiji's Sound

THE recent session of the Fiji Legisla tive Council, which opened in Suva on March 7, produced relatively few fire works—although there was some opposi tion to the imposition of export taxes on copra and sugar; and some plain speaking between Sir Hugh Ragg and his brother, Mr. Amie Ragg, on the latter’s motion that; “This Council deplores the continuance of the dual system of Gov ernment to which the Fijian people are subject and advises that it be abolished so that the Fijians, together with mem bers of the other races in the Colony, may be governed by laws applicable to all.”

Mr. Ragg based his motion on the fact that the Fijians have to conform to native regulations—many of which are archaic and due for revision and, in the opinion of many informed people, detri mental to the progress of the Fijian people—and to the general laws of Fiji as well, Non-Government members who op posed the proposal to levy export taxes on copra and sugar pointed out that there had been a surplus over the Esti mates for 1946; and that the Estimates budgeted for a surplus in the current year. It was argued that with such buoy ancy in the Colony’s finances there was no need to apply this taxation. Revenue from Customs is almost twice the amount it was in 1939 —due to the fact that the values of the imported goods have in creased greatly.

The Financial Secretary was of the opinion, however, that more money was required for the Colony’s post-war re construction plan, in view of the fact that costs of materials had risen steeply.

It is noted that, in his speech, the Governor (Sir Alexander Grantham) re ferred to the tax on export copra as a Port and Service Tax of 1 per cent, plus wharfage dues at 6d. per ton. He said that it was not proposed to levy a special export tax on copra, as the industry still had leeway to make up. However, for general purposes, the reimposition of the Port and Service Tax (which was re moved when the price of copra fell dras tically in the pre-war and early war periods) can be regarded as an export tax.

Other points in the Governor’s opening speech to the Council were as follows:

Exports

EXPORTS of copra from Fiji in 1946 had exceeded estimates and had amounted to 28,000 tons. Sugar ex ports, although not up to pre-war figures, were satisfactory at 115,000 tons. There had been a considerable improvement in the quality of local bananas and during the year 86,960 cases of this fruit had been exported to New Zealand. Arrange ments had also been completed for the reopening of trade with Western Canada, and a small experimental shipment of 50 bunches had gone to Vancouver, had arrived in excellent condition and secured a good price. Shipment of 2,500 bunches would be made to the same port shortly.

Home Markets

THE cultivation of rice for consumption within the Colony had been main tained during the year, and 17,000 tons were harvested. Due to increased consumption, however, there had been a shortage in January and February. A

general rice survey is now being under taken by field officers of the Department of Agriculture.

Butter fat production was maintained at the same level as the previous two years, but the need for rehabilitation of pastures had caused the production to fall far below that of pre-war years.

Price Rises, Stabilisation Funds,

and Taxes

AN increase of £5/5/- per ton for sugar was recenty announced, and it had been decided to establish a Stabilisa tion Fund in this industry to take care of possible future falls in price. Pay ments to the Stabilisation Fund would be £l/15/- per ton. It had been de cided, also, to impose a special export tax of 10/- per ton; and, therefore, the industry would be left with a net increase of £3 per ton on the price of sugar over last year’s price.

An increase had been made in the price of copra also (£4/6/- per ton) and Port and Excise Tax would be reimposed. The question of establishing a Stabilisation Fund in this industry had been dis cussed, but was rejected on grounds of impracticably—the Fiji copra industry is said to be less well organised than the sugar industry.

Co-operative Societies

SIR ALEXANDER also outlined the benefits of the Co-operative Socie ties’ Bill which was introduced during

the session. He said that, firstly, the co-operative society can provide its mem bers with economic advantages; and sec ondly, it had an educative value in that it taught thrift, self-help, fair dealing and a training in the working of demo cratic processes. He said that although the societies would require a good deal of guidance and advice in the initial stages, they must stand on their own feet both financially and in the man agement of their affairs. It was not de sired that they should become Govern ment co-operative societies either in name or in fact.

Wages and Hours

THE cost of living of Indian workmen in the Colony had shown a sharp rise m the last three months of 1946 and the Government had therefore found it necessary to review the wages paid to Government employees. Resulting wage increases were estimated to cost £35,000 per annum. And, as a result of negotia tions, the hours of work had been re duced, but this action was taken only after an undertaking by the PWD Em ployees’ Union that output would not fall off: and after consultation with the larger employers of labour in the Colony.

Education

THE main efforts of the Education De partment had been directed towards the implementation of the Educa tion Plan which was approved in 1946.

The Teachers’ Training College at Masinu had already opened, however, and 156 men students and 81 women students were in residence. Of these. 107 are In dians, 98 Fijians, and 10 Euronesians.

Finances

THE Estimates for 1947 budget for a surplus of £65.022. In 1946 expendi ture was £2,020,811 and revenue £2.098.726. In that year it had been esti mated that there would be a deficit of about £72,000, this, however, had been turned into a surplus of nearly £78.000 mostlv due to Customs revenue which for the first time in history had exceeded the milion pound mark.

Mrs. Roy McGregor, a well-known and popular resident of the district before the war, returned there recently.