‘Fiji’s Economic Outlook Brighter’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 4

‘Fiji’s Economic Outlook Brighter’

(New Zealand Press Association)

SUVA, November 25. The improved atmosphere in the sugar industry after last year’s commission of inquiry under Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve and the establishment of a growing number of small industries have created a brighter economic outlook for Fiji, the ActingFinancial Secretary, Mr Harry B. Ritchie, said when presenting his 1962 Budget on Friday.

The estimated deficit of £514.000 for 1961 will be reduced to just over £lOl,OOO. Mr Ritchie said he aimed at a balanced Budget for 1962. His planned expenditure of £8.051,000, plus £3.425,000 on capital works, is a record for Fiji. Capital expenditure includes £1,500,000 on a scheme, already started, for rebuilding the Suva wharves. To produce a surplus of an estimated £4OOO. the Government will have to increase excise and import duties on tobacco, cigarettes and beer, and import duties on spirits ant’ petrol. Mr Ritchie commented on the rising cost of education and medical services, due mainly to the rapid population increase. He said the Government proposed •« ask users to pay more by imposing a charge of Is far each outpatient attendance at Government hospitals and by raising fees at Government primary schools by £3 a year.

Income tax concessions are to be given to old persons by increasing personal exemption allowances. Higher allowances are also proposed for the education of children. Details of these concessions will be given later in the Budget session of the Legislaive Council. The Government of Fiji has proposed to increase the number of “official" members of the Legiilaitve Council from 15 to 18.

The Governor (Sir Kenneth Maddocks) told the Legislative Council at the opening of the Budget session that there would be four elected members from each of the three main racial groups—Fijians, Indians and Europeans—plus two Fijians elected by the Council of Chiefs and two Europeans

and two Indians nominated by the Governor to represent interests not otherwise represented. The Governor said: “It is further proposed that the

franchise should be extended to women, that there should be literate adult suffrage. and that women should be enabled to stand for election.” Preparation for the election with the greatly extended franchise would take at least a year. The general election would probably be held in th* early part of 1963, he said.