In Fiji Imported Food
pp. 72-73 · Read in the full issue
The Myth Of
Cheap Labour
In Fiji Imported Food Is Cheaper
A DEPRESSING run of unfavour able trade balances during the past three years, together with an anticipated decline in import revenue this year, due to the credit squeeze, are causing many people to consider the economic future of Fiji.
It is impossible to overlook the uncomfortable fact that the Colony’s exports are not being increased either in variety or quantity.
There is nobody to interest over seas concerns in starting new in dustries in Fiji or to examine the Colony’s potentialities.
It is also unfortunate that various new industries started in the past under apparently favourable condi tions, folded up, due in some in stances to faulty planning and lack of local experience. These failures tend, of course, to discourage other new enterprises.
Timber development at Kadavu by local people familiar with local conditions will, it is hoped, help to reduce the amount of timber
imported into the Colony, par ticularly if proper drying methods are adopted so it can compete with imported Oregon.
However, it is reported that one Suva concern intends closing down
its mill on the grounds that ti; can be imported cheaper.
The importation of dried evaporated milk last year to value of £192,833 is another n tion on a country which hau
id and the agricultural population : increase its dairying industry, id also produce more pigs and ultry.
Pork, poultry and eggs are im rted in fairly large quantities and Christmas time, New Zealand ultry of better quality can be light more cheaply than local ds. Often throughout the year ported eggs are cheaper.
Fish also presents a rather ex lordinary situation in that it is eaper to buy deep-frozen fish mght all the way from Scotland, in fresh fish caught in local ters. Fish is an important article diet with the native people and ire also is always a demand from ropeans, Chinese and Indians. A all trawler to supply local fish r the lines being planned in iga would help to reduce both jorts and the cost of living. ’hese are small matters but they ect the growing tendency to r more and more on overseas ntries for all that we wear and ch that we eat.