FIJIAN FINANCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22122, 28 November 1933, Page 7

FIJIAN FINANCES

A SATISFACTORY POSITION SOUND TRADING PROSPECTS. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, November 27. A happier future for Fiji was predicted this morning by Sir Henry Scott, K.C., a member of the Fijian Executive and Legislative Council, who is a through passenger to Sydney by the liner Niagara. During Sir Henry’s business visit to Australia Lady Scott, who arrived with him, will remain in Auckland. " Notwithstanding the depression, Fiji is emerging very well from her troubles,” said Sir Henry. Her recovery, he said, was due to the country’s sound position and to the careful'husbanding of the finances in past years. At the end of last year there was a credit balance -of £200,000, and it was hoped that there would be a similar balance this year. “Taking things on the whole the future looks quite bright,” he said. Sugar was Fiji’s main industry, and it had been fortunate for the growers that the Colonial Sugar Refining Company had been able to keep up the prices. The sugar industry meant about £1,000,000 a year to the colony. An ambitious public works scheme bad been planned for next year, said Sir Henry, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The programme provided for the completion of a road right round the main island, three-quarters •of which had already been laid at a cost of £85,000; the building of Rewa bridge at a cost of £BO,OOO, and the erection of new Government buildings at Suva to replace the present old buildings at an estimated cost of £IOO,OOO. The portion of the road round the island, already completed, was recently'opened to traffic and was already proving a great boon, not only to residents but also to tourists. The road provided a fine scenic drive, and also made accessible to visitors several excellent fishing rivers. The gold mining, industry, which was as yet only in its infancy, promised well, said Sir Henry. The laws governing the industry were very stringent, and no “wild rushes” would be allowed. Only persons with capital and bona fide prospectors would be allowed to interest themselves in the industry.