Native Traders As

Dummies

Solomon Is. Development

Can White Traders

Survive?

From Our Own Correspondent TULAGI, November 28.

NATIVES are to be given trading licenses at £2 per year in place of the full £10 store licence, which has always been demanded, but seldom paid.

The chances are that this will turn in extra revenue, for one sees visions of the natives dummying for traders, particularly Chinese, ad lib; and in this case they are in for a gloriously cheap time. It is certainly true that, since the advent of Chinese traders there has been a growing tendency on the part of the native to expect un limited credit. When and how it is to be repaid, in our days, does not give him a moment’s worry.

Chinese, in my experience, will give credit in competition even to the loss of profit, and as a number of natives are finding out that the law does not force them to pay it is not hard to foresee what is going to happen, unless some steps are taken to teach the native his resoonsibilities.

Anyhow, European trader sympathis ers may as well prepare the wreath to place upon the grave of “the last of his tribe.” Many of the thoughtless and ignorant will add, “and good rid dance.” But he has played a most important part in pioneering, and got exceptionally little in return, as wit ness dear old Sam Atkinson (just dead of cancer in Sydney after a lifetime of toil and hardship, and to whose wife and family we extend the deepest sympathy). What is this British Pos session going to get in place of this type? Is it to be a happy hunting ground for “poor class Chinamen!”

“Government Yacht.”

The Tulagi is herself again, though we shudder at her cost of repairs. Still, as she has been promoted to the dis tinction of “Resident Commissioner’s Yacht,” at least until times improve, she is a financial nerve sedative as compared with the poor old Ranadi, which now lies in a tearful condition at the head of the harbour, quite ready to go to her “long rest”; having been stripped of everything, but the remains of her last coat of paint. No flowers by request!

Her chattels are to be auctioned on December 3, but the proceeds are not expected reduce the deficit to any marked extent. (Fiji papers please copy.)

Regulations!

The Rhinoceros beetle regulation, which practically debars ships coming here from certain other ports, still threatens to add to our freight charges, but we are hoping shipping firms will be successful in bringing about a modi fication or deletion of the foolishness.

Alsatian dogs have incurred the dis pleasure of the authorities and are to be strictly prohibited; all others must first obtain a permit from the Resi dent Commissioner. Debt-collecting ones would be wasting time to apply.

Popular In The Solomons

Mr. John Rawden Ward, the well known and genial first engineer of the Burns Philp inter-island steamer Mitiaro, has announced his intention of spending a few months’ leave at Katoomba. Mr. Ward, who is well known throughout the Solomon Islands as “Wardie,” has a fine record as an all-round sportsman, and has that fine development peculiar to all great swimmers.

The coming of the Mitiaro is a keenly-awaited event at many a lonely plantation in the Solomons; for, after a strenuous morning wrestling with the intricacies of the Mitiaro’s engines he is always ready to come ashore and swim, play half a dozen sets of keen tennis, and trip the light fantas tic toe with unfailing good humour till the early hours.

His cheery face will be missed by his many friends, who do not grudge him his well-earned holiday, but hope, for their own sakes, it will be as short as possible.—Special Correspondent.