Fiji Relaxes Imports

From Sterling Areas

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva. May 21.

EXCEPT in, the case of certain specified goods, it is now possible for merchants in Fiji to import freely from sterling area sources. An Order issued recently by the Controller of Imports eliminates the need to apply for import licences except in the case of goods on the re stricted list and certain goods that are in short supply.

Restricted goods include most kinds of imported food and drink, cement, china ware, cutlery, glass, linen piece-goods, soap and lead. Most of these goods can be sold in hard-currency areas or are made from raw materials requiring a con siderable outlay of hard currency.

An official announcement on relaxation of import controls states that it is im perative that the Colony live within its means, and if the flow of imports rises to a level which endangers the Colony’s balance of payments, it will be necessary to introduce stringent controls to correct the situation.

M. Felix Reusselot. former Noumea lawyer and later judge at Tahiti, which he left for reasons of health, was re cently appointed a judge in the High Court of Appeal in the French territories in India. Another judicial appointment concerns M. Gasse, president of the High Court of Appeal in Tahiti, who is enroute to Noumea by the Sagittaire to take up a similar position in New Caledonia.