Some Relief

For Solomon Islands High Commissioner’s Decisions

From Our Own Correspondent

THE visit of the High Commissson

er of the Western Pacific (Sir

Murchison Fletcher) to the Solo

mon Islands, in July, was a huge social

success. Whether economic and polit

ical results of any importance are to

follow remains to be seen.

Thirteen requests were placed before

His Excellency by the Planters and

Commercial Association, and the ans

wers appear to have been about as

follows:

1. Economy of Government expenditure and a reduction of official salaries and concessions.— There is to be no reduction of official salaries; yearly furlough is to be taken when it is due; there is to be no “long leave” in future; con cessions are to be accorded officials’ wives once every two years only. 2. What was the result of the inquiries made by the Labour Commission a considerable time ago?—Some doubt exists as to when this report will be available, if at all. 3. It was requested that employers should not be responsible for payment of the taxes of in dentured natives.—Request not agreed to; and an intimation given that the word “indentured” is not liked by the Colonial Office. 4. Request that the duty on trade and issue tobacco be reduced.—This is possible. 5. Compulsory issue of tobacco to labour should be discontinued.—This was not favoured. 6. It was urged that the wages of indentured labour be reduced to 10/- per month. —This was regarded as probable. 7. It was suggested that the term of service of indentured labour be extended to three years. —Emphatically, no. It was disclosed that the Colonial Office is inclined towards the abolition of “contract labour,” and favours “peasant occu pation”—whatever that may mean. 8. It was suggested that dynamite, for obtain ing fresh fish for labour, be allowed. —No! 9. Rentals of Crown Leases, it was asked, should be either remitted or reduced. —It was indicated that there probably would be a remission of either two or three years’ rent. 10. It was urged that Immigration Bond res trictions should be revised.—This is likely. 11. Permission was sought to import labour from outside the group.—This probably will be allowed; but only free labour. 12. The suggestion was made that the advice of the Advisory Council should receive more sym pathetic consideration. —This is not likely. 13. It was asked that the quarantine regulations be revised.—They will be amended insofar that the embargo now placed on New Guinea ports will be lifted.

Meantime, so far as the economic

situation is concerned, it seems the

planter is still on the toboggan, and having the devil of a ride. So much so, in fact, that a Brisbane company, in the group for over 25 years, has just

recalled its manager, to confer with

him in an effort to arrest the descent

into the chasm of oblivion.

Our old friend, the tax-gatherer, is

again on the warpath; and with his

proverbial lack of imagination demands

another red corpuscle—to wit, a poll

tax of £1 p.a. on non-natives of the

male variety.