Solomon Islands

Grievances

NUMEROUS letters to hand from the Solomon Islands by the Malaiti mail (November 15), indicate an increasingly disturbed condition of public opinion in that Group. Space at this late hour pre vents odr stating the people’s grievances in detail. The following is a summary: As a result of the new preferential tariff in operation in the Solomons, the officials have introduced a system which causes much exasperating delay in securing de livery of goods. Traders, particularly, are being caused great inconvenience, and they are the more bitter because it ap pears that goods addressed to Govern ment officials are cleared with a minimum of delay.

It is stated that the Administration proposes to stop trochus fishing for six months —although, in spite of steady fish ing, shell is no scarcer now than it was ten years ago. The cessation of trochus fishing would give many traders the coup-de-grace.

Despite the depression among Euro peans a number of additional trading boat licenses have been granted to Chinese, and it is reported that additional store licenses are to be issued to them.

Public feeling concerning this matter is very high.

Although it was understood that a pro mise had been made in Suva that native wages in the Solomons would be reduced to the level of the adjoining territories, nothing has been done up to the end of January.

It is reported that the Resident Com missioner, Mr. F. N. Ashley, has arrived in Sydney by the Malaita to formally dis cuss Solomon Islands affairs with the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Murchison Fletcher. There appear to be many matters for discussion.