FIJI’S TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1922, Page 5

FIJI’S TRADE.

RUINED BY FEDERAL TARIFF. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright Sydney, April 20. Mr. Maynard Hedstrom, of Morris, Hedstrom, of Fiji, who is sailing to-day for Suva, said that Australia has practically ruined the banana industry in ji by a prohibitive duty, which incidentally inflicted great injury on her own trade, as Fiji much preferred to trade with New Zealand, where it always received sympathy and consideration, and was treated like a big brother. If Australia desires to resume trade relations she must admit Fijian products at reasonable rates. The speaker doubted whether the idea of carrying on the sugar industry with white labor by farmers on small holdings was practical. The scheme on the preference given by New Zealand, but that was an Imperial preference, and sugar under such conditions would be compelled to compete against that grown in othei tropical patvs of the Empire with black labor. He was of the opinion that the Colonial Sugar Refining Company should have paid Indian laborers a 2s rate and not Is 6d, even if it meant a diminished profit, as the cost of living was still high. Otherwise laborers would remove to nonsugar districts and would not be available when required later on.