Fijian forces swap arms for tools

Press, 23 September 1987, Page 35

Fijian forces swap arms for tools

By

JAMES SHRIMPTON

NZPA-AAP Suva

Fiji’s armed forces are laying down their rifles and picking up garden tools and fishing nets as part 'of a national. campaign to cut food imports. Civilians are being encouraged to grow their own vegetables, and farmers asked to boost production, in other attempts to save foreign exchange. Even the GovernorGeneral, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, appears to be doing his bit Journalists at Government House to report a political peace meeting on Friday observed lettuce and cabbage growing in the flower-beds.

The military coup in May has been followed by a big economic downturn in Fiji, with trade and Investment severely affected, unemployment growing and foreign reserves dwindling. Now the Army, under Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka who led the coup, is “going commercial” to help ease the problem.

The naval squadron will go fishing in the waters of the Lau group of islands, in eastern Fiji, to help feed the Armed Forces.

The Army, with assistance from the Ministry of Primary Industries, has begun its own small piggery. It is also reported to be growing its own dalo (a root crop known as taro elsewhere in the South Pacific) and other vegetables. An Army statement said the main aim of the scheme was to “get the forces self-sufficient enough, so that they do not become a financial burden on taxpayers.” The Army, criticised for buying more arms and Increasing its size at a time of financial crisis, has also said it will demobilise some older recruits who enlisted soon after the coup.

Last week, a new licensing system was gazetted for the import of lamb and mutton from New Zealand. A similar licensing procedure will apply to the Import of canned fish.