FIJI IMPRESSIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 May 1928, Page 9

FIJI IMPRESSIONS

A VISITOR’S CRITICISMS. “The officials of Fiji are Suffering from insularity and want waking up.” That is the impression gained by Captain H. Billington, head of Flock House, near Bulls, who returned by the Tofua from a tour of the Islands. “The possibilities of Fiji are not even scratched,” continued Captain Billington, who trenchantly criticised stock and conditions there. He said he wished it. to be understood that his impressions were those gained after a fleeting visit, but any outsider who visits Fiji would be similarly impressed by what lie saw. Captain Billington said that from what he could gather, the most inadequate efforts were being made to open up the land. He purposely made inquiries regarding land in Fiji as he had been asked to do so by some young men who proposed to settle there. From the conversation of the officials he thought that white farmers were not wanted, but on asking them point blank he found that there was a desire to have white settlers. “Fiji wants people with capital,” continued Captain Billington. “There is a large area of land which could be opened up and in my opinion the whites are the ones to do it. The climate" is good and there are undoubted possibilities for good men.” Captain Billington was not enthusiastic about the cattle and other stock be saw. The cattle were poor; some of them would not be tolerated on New Zealand farms. He thought that the importation of stud stock was absolutely necessary. Because of the climate stud stock would have to be imported repeatedly to keep up the st rains. At present there was little or no outlet for the stock bred in Fiji, and as far as the visitor could see, practically the only use made of the cattle was in keeping down vegetation in the plantations. The pigs were of an inferior quality and in New Zealand would be regarded as “Captain Cookers.” Captain Billington was told that sheep would not do well iti Fiji, but personally ho was not sure of that.. Captain Billington has been in charge of Flock House for the past two years, and can be regarded as a competent judge of stock.