Zealand
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
Fiji's Bothersome Debt To New Zealand
THE settlement of a debt of £BOO,OOO, owed by Fiji to New Zealand for war services and supplies, was discussed by Mr. R. M. Taylor (Financial Secretary) when he flew from Suva to Wellington late in October.
It is suspected, in relation to this debt, that Fiji was caught napping. In Sep tember, when the New Zealand £ was 25 per cent, under sterling, the Fiji Gov ernment (whose £ is 12h per cent, under sterling) could have settled the debt for about £700,000 Fijian. To-day, now that the NZ £ has gone to par with sterling, payment of the debt will cost Fiji about £900,000 Fijian—or £200,000 F more than it would have cost two months ago.
Result of the discussion is not known.
Mr. Taylor remained only a few days in New Zealand.
The Attorney-General of Fiji, Mr. J. H.
Vaughan, has left for the United King dom, where he will spend vacation leave.
Mr. B. A. Doyle is acting as Attorney- General during Mr. Vaughan’s absence.