Gold Basis Of Fijian Prosperity

Northern Advocate, 27 January 1939, Page 7

Gold Basis Of Fijian Prosperity

The new gold-mining industry has done much towards the increased prosperity now being enjoyed in Fiji. This is the opinion of Mr W. H. Brabant, retired Comptroller of Customs at Suva, who is ma'king his home temporarily in Whangarei. The Emperor mine at Tavua is now paying dividends to its shareholders after three years’ operation, said Mr Brabant. Last year more than £500,000 worth of gold was exported from Fiji, and the new industry was becoming a serious rival to sugar-growing.

The Emperor mine, which employs 1000 Fijians, was an up-to-date establishment, its electric-lighting plant being more extensive than that at Suva. Copra Values Decline. Owing to the competition from whale oil, copra, which had been one of Fiji’s main exports, was declining on the world market, but, with mining, sugar-growing and fruit export maintaining high levels, the country’s prosperity had not been affected. Rather, the wealth Of the colony had increased.

The need for tropical clothing would be the first thing to strike a New Zealander arriving in the country, Mr Brabant said. “We can’t wear suits like this in Fiji,” he said, indicating his dark worsted habit.

One Suit Per Day. Assam silks and drills were the most commonly worn materials, and the average man required at least one suit a day. Made for the greater part by Bombay tailors, however, such suits would cost only about 30/- to purchase, and the average single man would require to pay only about 15/- per month in laundry bills.

The heat was the most trying feature of the climate, said Mr Brabant. Although the average temperature was little higher than that of Northland, nights as well as days were sometimes stiflingly hot, and windows and doors were open day and night. 30/- per Month for Domestics. Europeans living in the country employed both Fijians and Indians as domestic servants at wages much lower than those obtaining in New Zealand.

A Fijian girl received ‘only about 30/- per month, although Indians, who were more skilled in this respect, could command higher rates of pay.

Good metalled roads existed throughout the country in consequence of the Government’s strenuous Public Works policy. • There were perhaps 100 cars in the colony, many of them owned by Fijians or Indians. ? There were also extensive bus services, Fijians Poor Businessmen. In the business world Indians were tending to oust the native Fijians, Mr Brabant continue*!. This was largely because the Fijian himself was of a lethargic nature. ' Nature was so bountiful that the native could secure fruit and vegetables from the bush, and this, with fish easily caught in the sea, sufficed for his simple requirements. In addition, a Fijian setting' up in business as a store-keeper, for instance, would be under a disadvantage with his own people. Should a chief place himself in his debt through the purchase of goods, the native’s .hereditary respect for his ruler would forbid him pressing for payment, and business would not be a paying proposition.