Fiji Government And The Copra Tax

Next Move Is Awaited With Interest

From A Special Correspondent

SUVA, January 2.

THERE was a very unexpected development in the Legislative Council on December 7, when the Governor (Sir Brian Freeston) with obvious unwillingness, postponed the Bill authorising the new £2 per ton coora tax to the next meeting of the Council The measure had been formally introduced earlier that day, with an expression of the Government’s determination that it should be passed at that session despite all the protests which had come from copra and other interests.

The check came from the Fijian members of the Council who pointed out that it was mandatory under the Fijian Affairs Ordinance that any matters which affect the interests of the Fijian people generally be referred to the Fijian Affairs Board.

This Bill had not been referred to the Board, although Fijians produce 60 per cent, of Fiji’s copra.

Actually, this course is not mandatory.

The Ordinance says that such matters go to the Board only “when in the opinion of the Governor” they affect the interests of the Fijians. His Excellency had decided that reference to the Board was unnecessary: and he took it very seriously amiss when he found his ' judgment challenged in this way by the Fijian members He said! — “All I can say on that account is that I cannot conceal my regret that my Fijian friends have been so ill-advised

as to challenge publicly in Council my exercise of the judgment which has been vested in me by this Council under statute. I will leave it at that.”

His Excellency made it clear that he accepted the situation with reluctance; but the postponement was agreed to.

The next steps are awaited with some interest. It is assumed that the copra producers’ protests against the tax have gone forward to be considered at high official levels in London, Government circles have no doubt that, behind this move, they discern the in fluential and skilful hand of Sir Henry Milne Scott, who has a close connection with the Fijian Affairs Board.

Sir Henry was away in New Zealand and did not return until shortly before the Council meeting. Otherwise, the post ponement of the measure might have been decided upon sooner, and the Governor saved from acute embarrassment.

The Governor is believed to be adamant on the subject of the copra tax, and will not take kindly to any interference with his plan. .. , , .

But even his friends admit that ms argument, that the imposition of the tax will permit the Government to corres pondingly reduce import duties on essen tial foodstuffs, is weak. Even if the full copra tax (calculated on last years production) is passed on to the people, it will represent only about 3/- per head per annum.