PACIFIC ISLANDS (CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES) (Hansard, 16 July 1952)

§ 52. Mr. Beswick
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many registered co-operative societies there are in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and in Fiji, respectively; and what is the total membership and the total population in each case.

§ Mr. Lyttelton
In 1950 there were in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony 27 registered societies with 12,575 members, 2151 and in Fiji 27 registered societies with a membership of about 1,600. The population of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and Fiji was estimated in 1950 to be 36,755 and 293,764, respectively.

§ Mr. Beswick
Will the Secretary of State agree that there appears to be a discrepancy between the development in Fiji and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and will he look into the matter and see if what has been the cause of the development in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands can be done for Fiji?

§ Mr. Lyttelton
The conditions are entirely different. If the hon. Member is interested, I have a good deal of information which shows that the nature of the Fijian life does not adapt itself so readily to the co-operative idea as has been the case in the other islands.

§ Mr. Snow
Will the right hon. Gentleman repeat how many societies there are in Fiji? We did not catch the number.

§ Mr. Lyttelton
There are 27, with 1,600 members.

§ 54. Mr. Beswick
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what circumstances the recently constituted Loans Board for Fiji can advance loans to cooperative societies; and what special steps are being taken to encourage the peasants to take advantage of these loans through co-operative societies.

§ Mr. Lyttelton
The Agricultural and Industrial Loans Board of Fiji was constituted on the 12th May, 1952, by the Agricultural and Industrial Loans Board Ordinance, 1951. The Board is authorised to make loans for certain specified purposes. It appears that under the Ordinance the Board could within its discretion, make loans to co-operative societies. The Registrar of Co-operative Societies will bring to the notice of societies the loan facilities offered by the Board.