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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17943, 24 May 1920, Page 4

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LADODE OUTLOOK BAD. STRIKE ON LARGE SCALE FEARED. (From Oue Own CoebespondeA.) AUCKLAND, May 23. Amongst tbo passengers who arrived by the Atua from is Mr J. G. Rowley; of Syduey, who is a frequent visitor to these islands on business. In the courso of an interview Mr Rowley said that the outlook for labour in Fiji was extremely bad and many- Indians would be leaving their own country in the near .future, three steamers having, been chartered for that purpose. Not a tew of the Indians intended to come to New Zealand. He did not think there would be any more actual rioting, but he would not be surprised if there was a strike on a large scale when the sugar mills started crushing. A large mill at Lautoka would commence early next month. The ■ crops ■ from Sigatoka. through Nadi on to Lautoka were very promising this season, and the same remark applied to the Penang district; but at Ba the sugar cane was poor owing to a pest known aa Johnstone Grass. This was orignnally introduced for pasture, but had spread to such an extent that it had got into plantations and choked tho cane. DAIRYING AND CATTLE-RAISING. As Mr Rowley is interested in the cattle trade- ho was asked how that industry waa progressing at Fiji._ Ho replied that dairying and cattle . raising were fast becoming important industries throughout tho croup. There was plenty of fat stock available y-r oxport, but the cost ot transit to Australia iad been raised from £0 15s to £7 14e per head, which made it expensive to ship to that market. A representative of a largo meat Mi' canning industry was at present exploring the islands for a sito with a view to erecting works. Australian cattle had been prohibited from entering Fiji for fear of the' tick, and as the order did not apply to New Zealand Mr Rowley-stated that he has come here to pick up a few bulls. FINANCIAL STRINGENCY. Mr Rowley stated a]eo that Fiji is suffering from financial stringency. The estimates recently .published showed a deficit on tio past year of £26,000. It was thought that the income tax would bo increased! and others raised to meet tho shortage.