"Marking Time"
p. 53 · Read in the full issue
In Fiji
’rom a Special Correspondent lings in Fiji seem to be at larking-time stage as far as agar industry and the copra try are concerned. ,VE heard little objection to the ipra Development Bill, although r two planters have written to wspaper about it. One wonders er it really was necessary as r towards extra production— its primary purpose is to en ;e the Fijian producer to bring land into copra production.
Savusavu, I was told that one r has 300 acres of suitable land g for the “Go” signal to corn planting. so heard that a Taveuni planter i 1,000 acres 18 months ago, hat Fijians on the Macuata planted 96,000 coconuts last (Of course, these two areas not be eligible for the sub >e instances show that not all mting community are standing >ach planter, however small, o bring in a few extra acres ear. course, a great deal of copra on an overgrown plantation. *owth of weeds and jungle on plantations is amazing. One rs how the owners can ever lough coconuts for a ton of Policy and Practice e have been two very good in The Fiji Times by a Mr. ng about Fiji’s economic situa id, like Mr. Carfax Foster, he •me good ideas of how to r things. ten wonder why Government 3 follow these ideas. Is it s easier to theorise than to m into practice? What are the ing blocks? Our multi-racial mity? Does the Government 3 hold all the authority? ly the Government has its full with administration duties t trying to run the various ies as well. Surely a Board iian, European and Indian s’ representatives could man ? copra industry; other similar could manage banana, timber, fishing, rice-growing, the members of those boards, )mmittees, would not be
expatriates, but local people, chosen for their knowledge of Fiji, its people and languages, and for their know ledge of, and interest in, the various industries, and their qualities of energy, honesty and leadership. What is the use of expatriates, who are only here for a few years? This country needs continuity of policy— and practice.
Mr. T. G, Lashmar, formerly Marine manager of Thornycroft (Aus tralia) Pty. Ltd., has now joined the staff of Ferrier & Dickinson Pty. Ltd., of Sydney.