TROUBLES OF FIJI

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1930, Page 7

TROUBLES OF FIJI

EPIDEMIC* AFTER HURRICANE. SERIOUS CHECK TO BUSINESS. Details of the severe epidemic of -dystentcrv, followed by dengue fever, which caused a serious check to the business life of Fiji, were given by Mr. Ilenrv Berry, of Melbourne, formerly a partner in the firm of Henry Beriy and Company (Pty.), Limited, who war, a through passenger for Sydney by the Aorangi, which arrived at Auckland on Sunday evening. Mr. Berry said he left Melbourne on a health trip and landed at Suva, where he contracted dengue fever. The foyer was at its height about four or five months ago and it was estimated that about 90 per cent, of the white population was affected. The fever was not dangerous to life, but it had the effect of incapacitating the patient for two weeks. As a result, with so many people ill at the same time, the business houses were carrying on with only “skeleton” staffs. “The trade of Fiji was .practically ruined, but the epidemic is now on the wane and there are signs of increasing

prosperity,” said Mr. Berry. “There was a pronounced decrease in the touiis„ traffic and business for the .time was practically at a standstill. Business institutions* with a usual staff of between 20 and 30 were managing with stalls reduced to two or three. The two banks at Suva—th© Bank of New Zealand and the Bank of New South Hales were forced to tide over a trying period with greatly depleted staffs.” The epidemic’had the effect of calling the attention of the Government of Fiji to the need for improved sanitary conditions among the Indian population. The authorities were now endeavouring to deal with the problem, but the task wouid be a difficult one.

The epidemic of dengue fever could be traced to the hurricane which swept Fiji last year, said Mr. Berry. The rains had served to expose the filth which accumulated in the Indian living quarters. There had been an invasion of flies and mosquitoes and.an epidemic of dysentery occurred. This epidemic had been responsible for a few deaths among the white population. The outbreak of dengue fever, which followed, had had a far greater effect on trade than had the more serious disease. Mr. Berry said the Government of Fiji was to be congratulated’on the way it had-sought to restore prosperity follow-

ing the effects of the hurricane. Assistance had been granted to growers to replace coconut groves and, food had been supplied to natives whose crops, had been ruined. Although conditions had been greatly improved, it would be another, five years before the new plantations would show a return.