The Solomons

Levers Want Indian Labour In

... ——— Official Opposition: Question Postponed ... ———

A SUGGESTION that the Government should give permission for the introduction of Indian coolie labour on certain plantations was made by Major Francis R. Hewitt, Island representative for Levers’

Pacific Plantations Limited, at the November meeting of the Solomon Islands Protectorate Advisory Council.

The proposal did not receive warm support, but it is understood that representations will be pressed again. The belief is being expressed in certain well-informed quarters that these may ultimately succeed.

Increasing difficulty has been experienced in the copra plantations of the Solomons in securing adequate native labour. The recruiting on gigantic scale of Melanesian men a few years ago, the high mortality in villages which has followed the introduction of European diseases, and a falling birth rate due, in large degree, to the extensive recruiting of men of marriageable age, has resulted in tremendous depopulation on most islands.

On San Christoval, where a quarter of a century ago the population was estimated at 43,000, there are now only 4,000 people in all. The one village of Wano dropped in a few years from a thriving 500 to a mere 52 which total a whooping-cough epidemic last year further reduced to 28. On Vanikoro Island, where 3,000 natives lived in 1880, the population has fallen to 80; Santa Cruz, 40,000 population when this century opened, is now 1,500; the death rate of the Reef Islands, according to a resident missionary, is seven to every child born. Little wonder, then that planters are already feeling the early results of a short-sighted recruiting policy in the growing short age of labour.

The proposal, as outlined by Major Hewitt, was that permission should be

given by the Commissioner for coolies to be brought from India to work on three stated islands, one of which is Laube. All three are big plantations owned by Levers. After a term of work, they would be free to return to their home country or to settle in the Islands. Major Hewitt stated the native population at these three centres was too small to work the plantations and that it would not then be necessary to take men away from their villages on other islands by recruiting, This would prevent further depopulation and allow the race to regain its former vigour, Although discussion turned against the proposal, it is to be brought up again and it is expected to gather support from outside planters as the supply of labour falls.

In a special interview, later, the Resident Commissioner said he personally was against the suggestion, but he could not guarantee that his successor would be of the same mind, There might yet be permission given for the introduction of coolie labour, which he considered would be a false step. Fiji had brought in Indian workers, and now they outnumbered the remainder of the population. Final consideration of the proposal would be in the hands of the High Commissioner for the Pacific, stationed in Fiji and he could be relied on to consider the question in the light of his own practical experience.—C.R.

EDITORIAL NOTE : In view of the known facts, the opposition to Messrs. Levers’ proposal is difficult to understand. Native labour is unprocurable; the enormous potential wealth of the Solomons cannot be developed unless there is an adequate labour supply: and the introduction of Indian labour ers and peasant farmers should be as great an economic success in this Group as in Fiji, There is the social question to be considered, of course: but the social effect of introducing the Indians to Fiji has not, so far, been bad. ===