SPC Support

For Fiji Credit Unions

[l/ITH a gift of £222, the South ft Pacific Commission has signified its interest in and support of Credit Unions, which have made apid progress since they were in roduced to Fiji a year ago.

The gift money, which goes to the r iji Central Committee, will prob bly assist in the publication of an Elementary Guide to Credit Union iccounting Procedure” which has een prepared by the Rev. Father I. Ganey.

The South Pacific Commission ias indicated to Father Ganey, !redit Union expert who was rought to the Colony at the sug estion of the Governor, that it con iders Credit Unions of “regional ignificance.” (Credit Unions have been called the peoples’ bank.” But as well as roviding the usual services of a ank—such as interest, loans, etc tiey act as savings groups. People [ith similar interests or occupa 10ns are encouraged to form a roup).

The Credit Union National Asso ciation of the United States is show ing keen interest in the good pro gress being made in Fiji and has voted $l,OOO towards the cost of sending a representative from Fiji to America for a special course in Credit Union work.

Credit Unions are firmly estab lished in Hawaii and the United States. Father Ganey was instru mental in establishing them in British Honduras, where Sir Ronald Garvey formerly was Governor. He saw them in action and conceived the idea of their establishment in Fiji. Bishop Foley, of Fiji, then arranged for the loan of Father Ganey’s services.