Venture

Successful Venture Co-operative Market Assn., Ltd.

(rnniri-hni+ori\ Keoniriouzea) mHESE photographs show the progress J_ m ade by one of the most successful Fijian ventures in co-operative marketing.

The Fijian Co-operative Market Asso elation Ltd., was founded in September, 1933. Fijian growers from the provinces around Nausori met and resolved to co operate in a scheme to establish a mar

ket booth in which their market produce could be sold at that centre.

This booth which is shown in the lower picture, was constructed by volun tary labour and opened for business in January, 1940. It continued to function until April, 1948, when it was demolished by order of the Government. The Asso ciation now uses part of the new Gov ernment market building at Nausori—an open-air affair consisting of a roof and

little else. The Fijians have not com plained; but this change-over has been felt deeply by them, particularly by those who worked hard in the early days of the Association to erect their own building.

After a general meeting of members in 1940, a management committee of seven was elected; a supervisor was ap pointed to grade and sell members’ pro duce on an agreed commission basis; and a clerical assistant was appointed. In 1944, the Association was registered as a public company but has continued to work on co-operative lines.

With the outbreak of the Pacific War, the Fiji Department of Agriculture called upon the Association to supply the Allied armed forces then stationed in the Colony. In 1944, 587 tons of fruit, 472 tons of green vegetables and 1,054 tons of root vegetables were supplied by members of the Association in this way.

In addition, during the war period, the Association built over 150 native-type houses for military use and supplied labour and materials for defence pur poses.

The Association contributed largely to patriotic funds and more recently gave £5OO for a scholarship to Gatton Agricul tural College, in Queensland.

Since the end of the war, the Associa tion has gone into the export business.

It has been granted a Banana Exporter’s Licence and has now leased a site at Nasinu on which a banana packing-shed and a factory for the manufacture of tapioca starch and other products, will be carried on.

The top photograph shows the business premises which have recently been ac quired in Suva by the Association. Fruit and vegetables will be sold here.