TRADE IN FIJI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 112, 14 May 1935, Page 9

TRADE IN FIJI.

COLONY TURNING CORNER

GRATIFYING INCREASE

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SUVA, May 8.

The colony has every appearance of having turned the corner from Depression Street, and entered upon another and more pleasing thoroughfare. The returns of trade for trie iiret quarter show a marked increase, and the April figures increase the surplus over estimates still more.

Imports for the quarter ended March 31 were valued at £255,404, as against £202,892 for the same period in 1934. The Customs duties collected show an even greater degree of increase, but this is due to increased duties imposed during 1934. They total for this year £71,904, against £57,705 for 1934.

Exports also show a satisfactory increase, namely, £332,211, as against £315,131 for 1934. Sugar increased in tonnage from 22,109 to 24,770, but fell in value from £212,211 to £208,782. •Copra was les&, decreasing in tonnage .from 8023 to 7559, but increased in ■value owing to the sharp rise in prices from £40,537 to £04,060. Bananas, like sugar, gave a smaller quantity. Gold bullion, which promises to'be an important article of export from Fiji, rose from 4070z, valued at £2970, to 7580z, valued at £5957. Molasses showed an increase, while trochas shell declined from 130 tons to 119 tons. The shell is becoming increasingly scarce in I'iji waters.

The prospects all round are encouraging, and business people are more hopeful in their outlook. The Government holds that Fiji has definitely turned the coiner. Her eurplua of assets over liabilities is now a record, standing at nearly £270,000, not including reserves totalling over a quarter of a million. The public is hoping that such a surplus will induce the Government to reduce taxation, which is very heavy compared with a decade ago.