Supply

Solomons’ Labour

Problem That Will Become Acute

(To the Editor.) Sir, —As a resident of some 26 years in the British Solomon Islands, a great deal of which has been spent in recruiting labour, I wish to point out that the articles contributed by your correspondent here convey a wrong impression of what I consider the great problem this Group will have to face in the near future — viz., a shortage of labour.

At the present time, this short age, owing to the depression, is not felt, but immediately conditions im prove, it will become serious indeed.

The Solomon Island native has never been an enthusiastic worker, and, owing to various causes, epidemics, etc., the numbers available are be coming greatly depleted.

This will continue for some time, at least, owing to the difficulty of reaching them with medical atten tion and their apathy in regard to their own well-being. If these islands are ever to progress and produce what they are certainly capable of, instead of remaining in a rut, de pendant on one industry, it must be through the agency of some imported labour supply.

These could be confined to two groups of islands here. Kulanbangra and the Russell Group, at first, till the residents of the other islands be come convinced of their value and ask that immigration be unrestricted. On these islands they would have little contact with natives and, though the immediate benefit of their services would only be enjoyed by two large firms, still, a start must be made, and it would be a step in the right direction.

With an assured labour supply capi tal would be attracted to these islands as even now is the case with New Guinea, and other industries would be started to add to the prosperity of the Solomons, as well as its one sick ewe-lamb, “copra.”

I am, etc.,

A. Olsen.

Guadalcanal, 20/10/31.