FIJI'S TRADE OUTLOOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18662, 19 March 1924, Page 6

FIJI'S TRADE OUTLOOK.

decrease DURING year. LABOUR PROBLEM SOLVED PROGRESS OF DAIRYING. [FROM OUR OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] SUVA, Mar. 6. Fifteen Tears is a very long time for any man to govern the activities of any public institution, yet that is the record of the Hon. H. M. Scott., K.C., -who has just, retired from the position of president of the Suva Chr.ruber of Commerce after a remarkably fin* term of active and very valuable work in the interests of the commercial life of the capital of Fiji. At tlie annual meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Scott announced his desire to retire. Members generally expressed their regret at Irs decision, and very warm expressions of appreciation -were tendered. It was decided to present Mr. Scott with a handsome address from the members. 1 In the course of his last annual report Mr. Scott gave some very interesting information regarding the progress of the Colony's trade and commerce. The total trade of the Colony in 1923 reached in value the sum of £2,542,2.99— decrease of £266,936 as compared with the year 1922. Sugar, molasses and trochas all showed a decrease, amounting in all to £481,780, while the following showed increases: Bananas, £48,608; copra, £97,349; rubber.. £4557; and sundries, £21,333, or a total of £171,847. The net deficit was £26*6,936. The decrease was not unexpected, as the Colony has been, and is still, passing through an acute period of depression. The general opinion is that the worst is over. "If," he said, "the development of the Colony's vacant land is soon to be realised by a vigorous migration campaign, assisted by a sound loan policy, I think that I may safely forecast a better trade outlook in the near future and improvement generally for the Colony."

The following figures will show how the Colony has suffered by the general slump in trade. The total trade of the Colony was in 1921, £4,052,327: in 1922, £2,809,235; in 1923, £2,542,299. "The difficulty in procuring a suitable labour supply," added Mr. Scott, "is still felt, and, generally speaking, the position seems to be no less acute than it was 12 months ago. What the future will bring us I cannot say, but the most optimistic of us find it difficult to view the immediate labour outlook without some apprehension. "As to shipping, the total tonnage which entered the port of Suva for 19?3 was 358,675 tons, as compared with 312,101 tons in 1922, or an increase of 46,574 tons.

"The outlook, as in the past year, is full of uncertainty, although trade prospects at the moment appear .to he brighter, and the revenue of the Colony seems to be keeping well up to former years. Population is still sadly needed. I am glad the dairying industry is showing distinct progress. Both the Rewa and Navua districts promiise shortly to be important dairying centre?;." Mr. Scott concluded by expressing gratification that the Colony was being represented at the Wembley Park Exhibition, and he felt sure that our representative, Sir Maynard Hedstrom, would carry with him the best wishes of all the members.