Fiji Again Spends
p. 55 · Read in the full issue
Too Much on Imports
IN spite of repeated warnings that Fiji’s spending spree is over, the value of imports continues to ex ceed that of exports.
The trading banks are becoming worried about the continued excess of imports over exports, and feel that a dangerous situation is de veloping. Apparently the people are not as concerned as they might be.
In the first three months of 1957, imports were worth £3,780,610, but exports, including £356,187 worth of re-exported goods, brought in only £1,655,017.
Although it may be difficult to judge trade trends on figures for three months only, the pattern is now pretty familiar.
Fiji has a wealth of natural re sources, many virtually untapped, which could go a long way to re versing the adverse balance. For example, in the three months she imported nearly £200,000 worth of food of kinds that could have been produced in the Colony.
Although the trend does not mean that disaster is just around the corner, it does mean that urgent consideration must be given to pro ducing more food stuffs for local consumption, and building up ex ports to earn foreign exchange.