Big Banana-Case Project

Begun For Fijians

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, Sept. 1.

A SAWMILL to provide cases was opened at Navua, Viti Levu, Fiji, on August 27 by the Act ing Secretary for Fijian Affairs, Mr.

G. K. Roth.

It has been built by Mr. L. Genge, but will eventually be owned by Fijian Banana Ventures, the co operative association of Fijian villages who produce the bananas of south-eastern Viti Levu. The arrangement is that Mr. Genge will operate the mill for the first year, then he will be bought out—the price being about £lO,OOO.

The mill will produce a minimum of 1,000 cases per day, as well as some building timber.

Had the main banana-producing area of the island not been hit by the 1952 hurricane, the absence of adequate case-making plant would have seriously held back exports. As it was, the banana crop was itself lield back by the blow.

Finance for the mill is being pro vided by the “quality” bonus of 1/per case by New Zealand importers for all fruit which is delivered to a certain standard. Over half the amount required has already been set aside.

The cases will be assembled at ICorovou for delivery to the various packing areas.

The Fijian people have under taken to maintain an adequate supply of logs to the mill from native lands and to carry out a pro gramme of reafforestation—three trees being replaced for every one removed. This programme will be financed by the profits from the mill. It is hoped to organise seed ling-planting by children at schools

in the area, bamboo pots being sup plied for this purpose.

Profit in excess of the reafforest ation scheme will be shared amongst the producers.

II Mr. C. R. Porter recently arrived in the Cook Is. to take over as Chief Postmaster, Rarotonga. He was previously at Kohukohu, NZ.