FIJI TRADERS' YEAR.

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 20, 24 July 1934, Page 12

FIJI TRADERS' YEAR.

Brown and Joske, Ltd., a Fiji trading corporation, made a profit of £1636 during, the year ended March 31, compared with £306 for the preyious year. With £2198 carried forward, there was available .£3834, out of which were paid two half-yearly dividends at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum on preference shares accounting. for £1400. The balance is £2434. Gross profit was £9810, a fall of £2071. ' - - ;

The directors report that trading conditions in Fiji have not been good, but they have been better than in other island groups, due to the sugar industry, which in turn is dependent upon the preferential treatment accorded by Great Britain to sugar produced in the Crown colonies. The 1933-34 season was' less favourable than that of the. previous year, and the community suffered accordingly. Low prices for copra caused a loss. If prices remain at their present level (£8 10s a ton at the end of June, compared with £27 a ton in 1928), the .reserves of the company will need to be utilised to the full in writing down certain assets. The reserves are stated in the balance-sheet at £10,525. Capital is £69,440, of which £20,000 is.in cumulative preference shares.

Australasian Lead Products, Limited, has been registered*at Canberra. Capital £25,000 in 50,000 shares of 10s each; to manufacture and sell litharge, red lead, white lead, and the by-products of lead used in the manufacture of paints, poisons, ;etc. :, -