Fiji's Import Duty
p. 151 · Read in the full issue
Total
Sets New Record
Prom Our Own Correspondent FIJI had an unfavourable trade balance of £402,000 in 1954, and the total of import duties set a new record, states the Colony’s annual Trade Report.
Imports at £11,642,000 were up £1,094,000 on the previous year, but were £365,000 less than in the record year, 1952.
Exports at £11,239,000 were down £1,940,000 on 1953—a record year.
The Acting-Controller of Customs, Mr. T. W. Davis, reports that the increase in imports may be at tributed mainly to relaxation of certain import controls, greater pur chasing potential following a very favourable trade balance in 1953 and greater importations of machinery for primary industries and transport.
The decline in the volume of ex ports is due to substantial decreases in the export of sugar, coconut meal, bananas, pineapples and copra. Sugar exports were 40,943 tons less than in 1953.
Import duty was £2,141,000—a new record. t An education co-operation scheme between Tonga and New Zealand came into force on August 1.