New Hebrides' footsteps

Land-Fiji may follow in New Hebrides' footsteps

From a Suva correspondent

New legislation governing land speculation in the New Hebrides has worried some Fiji land developers, who foresee the possibility of strin gent new land laws in their own domain.

Following news of the regulations imposed by the Condominium Gov ernment, Fiji’s Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara expressed concern over what he termed “high land mark-ups” in Fiji.

“I and most of my ministers would like free enterprise to develop, but we want it to develop with a sense of responsibility,” he said. “It seems that this cannot be inculcated in some quarters here because some of the mark-ups are pretty high.

“You can prosecute someone for taking a handbag from you on the street with $5O in it—but someone can mark up $5O on goods and take it from you quite freely.”

The Fiji Government had been studying the New Zealand land law, he said.

“We are very concerned with the speculative aspect of lots being sold overseas at high prices and we are looking at our immigration laws to find out whether people who buy these plots can come and live in Fiji simply because they own land here,” he com mented.

In reply to a question, the Prime Minister said the government was con sidering the possibility of imposing a tax on freehold land sold overseas.

He admitted that the developments in the New Hebrides had sparked off new interest in the whole subject of land dealing.

Among those most interested in seeing the investment-immigration question clarified are the developers of Pacific Harbour at Deuba. A large number of choice lots have already been sold to overseas buyers, at least some of whom may be contemplating spending their retirement years in Fiji.

The Prime Minister described the multi-million-dollar resort and resi dential development, which is pro gressing at an impressive rate, as something of an experiment. The re sults would not be seen until people were actually living there, he said.

He pointed out that local people were buying into Deuba too.

Despite recent overseas publicity about “millionaires’ row” and “jet

setters’ paradise,” the Deuba de velopers prefer to present the scheme as a good solid investment for people with a genuine interest in Fiji’s future.

As an ancillary benefit, their world-wide promotion campaign (which will have cost s2i million by 1975, says the company behind the project. Pacific Hotels and Develop ments Ltd.) presents Fiji on the whole as a desirable location for investment.

Following the Prime Minister’s comments on land laws, the Fiji Times remarked that while there was no reason why Fiji should fling open its doors to the “arrogance of the jet set,” it would be foolish to assume that big developments must inevitably become an exclusive haunt of the rich, and a focus of discontent among Fiji’s own people.

The newspaper called for a positive statement about the residential stand ing of buyers of land in development projects.

“Ready-made towns can be designed to blend successfully and harmoni ously into the existing scene and plan ners of such towns in Fiji would do well to give earnest thought to this aspect of their development schemes,” it said.

“But they cannot make any real istic plans at all if there is uncertainty on such a vital matter as the ability of buyers of sections to occupy the houses they build on them.”

Unless it is re-established that those who invest a certain amount of money (and have an independent income) may live year-round in Fiji, projects such as the Soqulu estate development on Taveuni Island may never get off the ground.

The 3,700-acre freehold estate is owned by Californian design engineer, Mr. John Mclntire, whose brother Jim submitted development plans to the Fiji Government four months ago.

In early September the brothers were still waiting for the go-ahead.

The master plan calls first for the preparation of 130 freehold blocks for home sites. Some 1,200 acres have been set aside for eventual residential development. Four hotels are also planned.

The proposal includes a small indus trial estate, a shopping centre and large tracts for cattle and timber farm ing.