PROGRESS OF FIJI.

Mataura Ensign, 26 January 1912, Page 7

PROGRESS OF FIJI.

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. ' THE ANNEXATION QUESTION. Mr D. Parton, of the engineering branch of the New Zealand Telegraph Department, who has just returned from Fiji, where he was carrying out important telegraph work for the Fijian Government, having been "loaned"' to the latter by the New Zealand Government, had something interesting to say about the administration of Fiji io a 'New Zealand Times' reporter the other day. "The question of annexation.," said Mr Parton, "by either New Zealand or Australia, receives a good deal of attention in commercial circles, owing to the difficulties experienced in settling certain questions without reference to the Imperial authorities. If a doubt exists as to how and from where should bo administered,'it is certain that the present arumgement could be unproved upon. Pawning street may le a success in most matters, but it apparently fails to grasp the requirements and possibilities of Fiji." Financially the colony is b.ioyant. The present Governor, Sir Hriry May, has been greatly handicapped, Out is proving an able administrator, and if a success can be made of colonf-vig so far vincved from headquarters, Sir Henry May will be instrumental in bnngirg this about. A land policy, tourist and railway development, are engaging the

attention of the Government at the present time, and promise to do more for the colony than anything so far accomplished. Wireless telegraphy and telephone extensions are already well advanced, and in connection with the latter system great advancement all over the mainland is contemplated. Three wireless stations are in full swing and are very ably staffed. The Marconi Company installed each of these plants, and Mr Parton took them over and managed them on behalf of the Fijian Government.

In regard to the copra industry, Mr Parton said that copra, which is the white portion of cocoanuts, is used in soap, butter and oil manufacture, and the ruling price at Homo stands at £27 10s per ton. At present planters are reaping a good harvest. Their price is usually £9 less than the Home figure. One may estimate the value of the "land suited for copra growing from the fact that an estate in rough condition with a quarter-mile frontage and a mile deep recently changed hands at £I6OO. Most of the land is leased from the natives through the Government, but great difficulty and delay are experienced in effecting transfers.