THE FIJI TRADE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 42, 17 August 1918, Page 8

THE FIJI TRADE

RUBBER AND BEEF SUPPLIES.

Mr. R. W. Dalton, British Trade Commissioner ii> New Zealand, has returned from a visit to Fiji, impressed with its producing potentialities.. Sugar is the main crop, copra comes next, but beef and rubber have a future before them. Fiji's important production of sugar was too well known to need, any description of it, but the rubber output was to become in the near future of the utmost importance. The development of the rubber industry in Fiji was the work of some prominent New Zealand farmers, who had expended much capital and energy in the establishment of large plantations. TSese plantations are now reaching th* productive stage, and the quality of their rubber is reported to be very high. The market has absorbed it readily. It happens that the price of rubber at tho present time is low, owing apparently to the restriction of markets by the was, and better prices are confidently expected when normal conditions have been restored. The plantations that have been established by the New Zealanders cover some thousands of acres, and the opinion in Fiji is that the industry is going to assume very large dimensions. Very large areas of land in the main islands are reported to be suitable for rubber cultivation.

The introduction of cattle to Fiji was primarily due to their usefulness in keeping down the undergrowth in the coconut plantations. They now not only did this, but after being in this weed extermination business for a time, they are fattened off in paddocks, and then killed for the local market. The Fiji Islands, which are off the beaten track, are to a large extent dependent upon tinned meat. . With improved transportation there is expected to be a largo opening in the group for fresh beef, island-grown. In time, it is not improbable Fiji may be an exporter of beef. In fact, dairying has been started, a small butter factory being in operation. The beef cattle, however, are Herefords. and are described as in excellent condition. They are bred on tho islands from imported stock. Copra is becoming ah extremely valuable crop in Fiji by reason of the gre.it demand throughout the world for all oils and fats. Fiji's producing future, so far as its resources are concerned, appeared, Mr. Dalton said, to be very bright.