TRADE WITH FIJI

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10848, 14 March 1921, Page 6

TRADE WITH FIJI

GREATER SHIPPING FACILITIES. The Suva Chamber of Commerce, at the invitation of the Governor, has considered the question of greater shipping facilities, and a meeting adopted the report of a sub-committee oh the subject, which has been forwarded to the Governor as an expression of opinion of the business men of Fiji. Tho report recommends the establishment of a direct service from the United Kingdom to Fiji, via India and Singapore, or, failing that, two distinct lines—one from the United Kingdom to New Zealand or Australia, via Fiji, and another from India to Australia or New Zealand, via Fiji and Singapore. Should these lines be subsidised, freights to Fiji should bo the same as to New Zealand or Australia. A very conservative estimate of the Fiji cargoes would be 10,000 tons each way. A tax of £1 per ton on inwardi and outward cargo might he levied to help to pay the subsidy. “The be6t interest of Fiji,’’ say-s the report, “would be served if rebates were not allowed in this colony.” Vessels of 14,000* tons, drawing 34ft of water, can do handled at- the new Suva wharf, and first-class water 1 i 3 available for steamers. The Government is favourable to some subsidised service, and was willing _ some time ago to consider a subsidy of £40,000 a year. The high transport charges in Australia and New Zealand on British goods have been a big factor in bringing tho proposl to its present stage.