Letters to the Editor

Press, 26 July 1977, Page 16

Letters to the Editor

<l> betters suftmitteo tot print tog in this column must not exceed 150 words They should oe written in mH or preferably typed on one side of the paper Ample space must be lert in the margins and between lines for subediting marks (2) Letters written ovet pen names or initials will not ordinarily be considered for publication, a legible signature and full postal address —not a P.O. Box numberare essential (3) The correspondent must say whether the tetter has been or is to be submitted elsewhere. The Editor does not undertake to acknowledge, hold, return or enter into correspondence on any letter not accepted for publication. W.J.T.—-An address, please. K.D.—Amusing, but distasteful. Fiji’s sugar Sir, — Are New' Zealand seamen in Fiji interested in building good relations between New Zealand and Fiji? They, and Cedric Mentiplay, author of ‘Where Should We Buy Our Sugar?’ (“The Press,” July 11) should contemplate what are the longterm interests of New Zealand. Mr Mentiplay implies we should get all our sugar on the world market; that is, buy from Fiji only when it suits us. Do we want the experience of Sri Lanka? Sugar prices there have risen recently from 10c to $1 a pound. The 1974 five-year contract to buy Fijian sugar was beneficial to New Zealand during 1975 and 1976 when world prices went skyhigh. Now prices have dropped below our contract price, Fiji will benefit. Fair enough. Long-term contracts with fixed prices are not only the best guarantees which Fiji’s industry can have, as Mr Mentiplay acknowledges, but They temper price fluctuations and help win the trust and gratitude of our neighbours. — Yours, etc., NIGEL COOPER. July 23, 1977.