FIJI AND ITS PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3751, 18 November 1873, Page 3

FIJI AND ITS PROSPECTS.

The South Australian Register writes as follows on this subject: — " Cotton-planting during the Amerioan war was Fiji's opportunity. The Sea Island sorts brought in more than one instance 5s per lb., while the average prices were 2s 6d to 4s per lb. Tho cessation of hostilities changed this state of affairs, and the price of cotton fell bo rapidly that the planter had to look out for a produot which promised to be more remunerative. There are places now that can compote against Fiji with Sea Island cotton. Such, localities havo the advantages of dry, warm climates. In the majority of Fijian districts the climate is humid —a feature favourable to sugar cultivation. For some time past it has been known that the cane of Fiji produced a large quantity of saccharine matter, and how to utilise it has been a question which has excited no little attention. Latterly it has been solved to tho complete satisfaction of the growers. The granulation can now be effectually secured, and there are samples of island sugar in the market that will vie with the best productions of Mauritius and Queensland. Powerful machinery for the manufacture of tho article left Melbourne recently, and it is estimated that on one plantation next year more than 500 tons will be made. Every acre of RUgar planted in Fiji will net for the proprietor £18, with sugar at present prices. It is not improbable that in a short time the ' saccharine account' of Australia and New Zealand will bo transferred from West to East. If an argument is wanted in favour of this transfer, it is to bo found iu the faot that a general demand for articles of luxury Buch as the colonies can supply is growing up iu Fiji, so that the trade, when establishod, will not be all on one side, as is to a largo extent the case with Mauritius. In addition to cotton and sugar, coffeo, tobacco, maize, sago, arronroot, cocounut oil, beche le mer, and many other valuable productions, as well as culinary vegetables of all sorts, are grown in the islands. The country is magnificently watered, and the climate generally healthy, the thermometer ranging from 80° to 85 ° during nine mouths of the year. The grazing capabilities of the territory nre unsurpassed, the pasture land in all parts of Fiji being easily able to sustain oattle at the rate of three head per acre. The Angora goat thrives, and eheep do well for carcase, although not for wool. In the two hundred islands of which the group is composed there is no end of harbour accommodation easy of access. It will have been noticed that tho New South Wales and New Zealand Governments have determined upon making Kandavau, one of the islands, a central station for tho steamers employed iu the Californian mail sorvice to be entered upon iu the course of a month or two. This circumstance, whilst it speaks volumes for the capability of the port in which the vessels are to lio, is of peculiar iuterest in connection with the future of Fiji and its relations with Australia and America. Reviewing all the factß of the case—bearing in mind the situation of the islands, their immense natural wealth, the prominent part that Lho subjects Queen Victoria. havo taken iu colonising them, and the evident inability of the inhabitants to govern themselves and give security to tho lives and property of Europenn residents —it is singular that Great Britain should have for such a length of time rofused to adopt tho policy of annexation which has been so pertinaciously pressed upon her attention, iteoent events in England seem to shew that the Government are wavering in their determination to leave the islands alone, and it is not improbable that ere long they will interpose to stop Thakombau and bis advisers in their erratic career. The latter have been manufacturing history quite long enough, and they may now with propriety give place to a more effective if leu sensational regim.