Why Are Australian Canned

Goods Restricted In Fiji?

AUSTRALIAN manufacturers of canned goods are disturbed by the fact that there are restrictions upon the im port of their products into Fiji, and rep resentations are now being made to both the Australian and Fijian authorities on the matter.

The disability was discovered recently by Mr. Rowe, representative of Heinz Products Ltd., who visited Fiji and who discovered that Fijian importers could get from their Government only a limited license to import canned meats, baked beans, etc. The quota permitted is based on 1945 imports, and in that year im portations were very low.

There seems to be no reason for the restriction. The population of Fiji is growing, and every Tuesday is a meatless day in the Colony, when the people turn towards canned foods. The people of Britain would not be affected in anv way if a larger quota of Australian canned goods were admitted to Fiji.

Fiji officials gave no reason for the re striction upon the importation of Aus tralian canned fruits into Fiji, but when the matter was taken up between London and Canberra, the embargo was removed.

The same thing could well be done in relation to other canned goods.