Missions And Trade.

Complaint from New Ireland.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —There have in the past appeared letters in various papers from mem bers of the Roman Catholic Mission, denying that they take a penny from the Kanaka in return for their ser vices.

This may be so; but what about the pennies, not to say shillings and pounds, that they take out of the mouths of the already sorely afflicted planter (in many cases a returned soldier) by their policy of trading with the Kanaka, in competition with the aforementioned planter and at prices with which he cannot possibly compete.

The Missions are here for the pur pose of ministering to the spiritual and mental requirements of the Kanaka, and, in consideration of this, the Government allows them certain concessions. Why, then, should they not be made to confine themselves to their proper sphere, and not interfere with others who are at their wits’ end to know how to make a living?

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Vunapope, the headquarters of the Mission in the Mandated Territory, has most definitely informed the Planters & Traders’ Association that trading is opposed to the canon law of his Church. Is he, then, incapable of en forcing these laws, or are his men a law unto themselves? I am in a position to state that in the Kavieng district, at the Lemakott Mission, a large trade store is maintained and, in consequence of the prices charged, the turnover in the several stores maintained by planters in the vicinity has dropped to practically nil.

Here are a few examples of his prices: For 7 feet of laplap, of a quality which is unobtainable at any local store under sixpence a yard, or more one shilling.

For 2 bottles of kerosene—one shilling. (Kerosene is at least 19/6 a

case locally, plus freight. Approxi mately 48 bottles go to the case, so that by the time the bottles have been paid for there is not much profit left, if any).

He sells bicycle tyres for a string of mace (value to the Kanaka, and nobody else, 5/-) plus 3/- cash; and tubes for a string of mace, less 2/cash, which the Father returns to the native as change. How can the private individual compete with these prices?

The worst feature about the whole business, of which the Mission cannot be unaware, and which does nearly as much damage to the planter as the loss of revenue, is that it makes the Kanaka think he is being robbed at other stores which charge reasonable prices, and he is therefore suspicious of the bonafides of planters generally.

This state of affairs will never con duce to the advancement of this Ter ritory as an Australian Mandate.

Mortgaged.

Kavieng, N.G., August 15, 1932.

New Hebrides Complaint.

Sir, —In a recent letter to you—which was subsequently published in the P.I.M. —regarding mission trading, I remarked that it was part of the Mis sion tactics to injure those who do not see eye to eye with them. I was recently in conversation with a gentleman who, although not a mis sionary himself, is in contact with them. I enquired of him as to the reason for a certain missionary’s in tention to start trading—whether it was because I was a “profiteer”, or what.

This gentleman then informed me that the reason was to attack my neighbour, and when I pointed out that my neighbour did not engage in trade, my informant replied that I was a friend of his. This is an example of the true Christian spirit —if you cant “bump” your enemy, “bump” his friends. It is also an indication of what we may expect should this group ever pass under British control.

Planter And Trader.

Malo, N.H.,