FIJI COTTON GROWING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18051, 28 March 1922, Page 5

FIJI COTTON GROWING.

PROBABLE RESUMPTION.

EMPLOYMENT FOR INDIANS.

[from our own correspondent. ] SUVA, March 22. It is probable that Fiji will soon be rivalling Queensland as a producer of cotton.

In the late "seventies' and "eighties" Fijian South Sea cotton topped the London market, and waa referred to in the House of Commons as the finest quality cotton in the market.

Some two years ago the aoveruinent made a halfhearted effort to start cotton growing. There was a clamour that the Government should do something for returned soldiers, besides the cosSy dairy settlement scheme which only helped 28 out of some hundreds of returned men. The Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Association sent in the names of men who were willing to undertake cotton growing. Land was set aside and each man was to be assisted for the initial year. Besides the so'diers a number of Europeans and Indians offered to plant. The Government purchased South Sea seed in Montserrat reputed to be free of ball weevil, and the seed -was forwarded. Then a mysterious cablegram arrived, which has since been put down to American influence, stating that the ball weevil did exist in Montserrat, and in too eager has'ie the Government slopped the expected seed en route. Then the Government dropped the proposal to buy seed and the movement collapsed. Now things are different in the colony. The Government recognises that some avenue of employment must be found Many Indians have expressed a willingness to take up cotton growing. Tha Indians can supply labour to pick their cotton which has been the chief drawback to Europeans to plant, and applications all willing to undertake the cultivation are now being invited. He Government will provide the seed and establish gins in central situations. Once started, cotton growing wi'l become a big and profitable industry in Fiji.