In The Solomons
p. 35 · Read in the full issue
High Comm’r Will Personally Hear Grievances
CONDITIONS in the Solomon Islands— both economic and administrative— will be inquired into personally early in the new year by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Murchison Fletcher. Sir Murchison is going from Suva to Sydney in January, and thence will proceed to the Solomons early in February in the new Burns, Philp steamer.
It is likely that the rate of native wages (20/- per month), which has obtained in the Solomons for several years, will be reduced at an early date to 10/- per month, thus bringing the Solomons into line with New Guinea. The fact that they have had to pay 20/- for labour, while a few miles away across the boundary the
same service was purchased for 10/-, has long been a source of grievance to the B.S.I. planters.
Another matter that is receiving urgent attention is that of the competition offered to the European traders in the Solomons by increasing numbers of Chi nese traders. The Chinese, importing large quantities of manufactured goods from the Far East at ridiculously low prices, have been able to undersell the European traders and stores to a degree almost beyond belief. Also, the conditions under which they operate have enabled them to outbid the European traders for B.S.I. produce.
The European traders have made bitter protests; but until recently, the Adminis tration simply continued to issue trading licenses to the Chinese. In this regard an instance has been brought under our notice.
Early in November, Mrs. Bignell, of Fulakora plantation, Ysabel (in the ab sence of her husband), wrote to the resi dent Commissioner, referring to a report that Chinese had been allowed to obtain land whereon to establish stores at Ysabel; and she pointed out that already Ysabel was supplied with adequate Euro pean stores and trading vessels. “I can not understand the policy of the Adminis tration in crushing out the British trader in order to provide a living for Chinese,” said Mrs. Bignell, The Resident Commissioner replied, on November 11: “I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, in which you express your views on the advisability of allowing Chinese to trade in competition with the British stores at Ysabel.”
Which, to say the least of it, is neither a helpful nor a tactful reply to a well known British planter who is naturally anxious about future economic conditions in the Solomons.