Experiment

Vanua Levu Pineapple

Is Not A Success

THE Colonial Sugar Refinery seems likely to abandon what it, and the Fiji Government, hoped might become a major pine apple-growing and canning in dustry on Vanua Levu.

Although the Government gave the company full support and assist ance in establishing roads and facilities through the 20,000-acre area which was made available, many difficulties have been en countered since 1952 when 40,000 suckers were established in plots covering representative soils of the area.

Experiments will continue on a 6,000-acre section to the west of Natua, but in view of difficulties so far encountered it does not appear that a major pineapple industry will be established on the island.

H Mr. H. E. Snell, managing director of Morris Hedstrom Ltd., Fiji, spent a short holiday in New Zealand in February-March.