Fiji Producers

Against

Copra Grading

THE Governor of Fiji (Sir E

Garvey) has expressed

appointment at the strength <

opposition to compulsory grad

copra on the part of a secti influential estate producers.

The Governor was speaki the November session of Legi Council and giving a general of the Fiji copra industry.

He said: “The production of cop judged by deliveries to the Board during the year appe be well up to average. Dun; early years of the nine-year ment some producers felt th price structure was unduly f able to the United Kingdon istry of Food but during th two years, I am glad to say,

favoured producers.

“It seems likely that durin the last year of the agreeme advantages to each party contract will be in balance, agreement of this kind, and term of years, to come to : without a substantial nnanc vantage to either side, at 1 pense of the other, must be re as satisfactory.

“The nine-year agreement to an end in just over 12 i time and the future marke copra has become a mai speculation and concern to a producers. Since the presen Board is concerned only w marketing of copra under th ing agreement, Governme; offered to consult with pi as to the future organisa marketing. • “The trend of future dev quality in copra is diffi foresee, hut seed-oil cr u whether overseas or local, ai be unanimous in their dem an improvement in the qu copra ; and it would he i producers to give full const to their views” t The importation of potatoes into Fiji has be hibited as an outbreak of h mouth disease recently occ the UK and it is feared ' disease could be imported soil around the potatoes, the recent shortage of pot Australia and New Zealand ment was imported frc However, the potato fa now over in Australia.