Fiji Anticipates
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Silsoe Report
Streamlined
Copra Industry
From a Special Correspondent SUVA, October 1.
Fiji is still awaiting Lord Silsoe’s report on his recent survey of its coconut industry. It will probably be released next week. But a few in terested parties have apparently seen advance copies so intelligent antici pation of the report’s recommenda tions is possible.
IT is believed that the machinery proposed for control of Fiji’s copra industry will be very similar to that created two years ago for Fiji’s sugar industry which is now working satisfactorily—namely that a small Board with wide powers over the copra industry generally will be as sisted by District Advisory Councils.
The Board will probably fix copra prices; make regulations to ensure production of higher grade copra with higher prices; and license copra buyers and copra processors.
It is believed that the Silsoe Report will favour a system under which copra production will be in two sec tions—that is, one section will be small growers, especially native co operatives, who will sell coconuts to the second section of expert copra makers who will maintain good plants and thus ensure higher grades.
Indications are that the report will be generally acceptable here to both planters and millers. It is expected that Mr. H. G. Nicholls of the CSR Co. will be invited to accept chair tnanship of the Board. [Lord Silsoe was appointed to in quire into the Fiji copra industry in January, 1963. He began his inquiries in Fiji in February but returned to the United Kingdom to write his re port. In 1961, following the disastrous Fiji sugar dispute of 1960, Lord Sil soe (he was then Sir Malcolm Trus tram Eve), was appointed chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry. Recommendations of the Commission subsequently brought peace to the Fiji industry.] • More than 200 women from South-East Asia and Pacific countries and territories, will meet at Nukua lofa in August next year for the 10th international conference of the Pan Pacific and South-East Asia Women’s Association.