May Cause Shortage of

New B.S.I. Wage Scale

May Cause Shortage of Native Labour

From Our Own Correspondent.

Tulagi, Sept. 23.

THE time is approaching when the new native wages scale will come into force. Though the new scale could well have come sooner, the time is opportune, as very few recruits are now required, and the native will certainly not recruit readily at 50 per cent, of his former wages.

Anticipating the inevitable reluctance of “boys” to recruit until they readjust themselves to the new order of things, at least one big firm has had the foresight to break the old contracts of selected and specially useful labourers and re-engage them for a further period at present rates. This procedure should tide over the recruiting lull (and probably increased recruiting costs), that must be expected.

This breaking and renewal of old con tracts has been criticised as inconsistent, inasmuch as planters have been agitating for a reduction in labour costs. But, con sidering the dearth of labour offering, likely to follow the new regulation, the precaution is wise; and less inconsistent than later, as an emergency measure, to pay a rate above the regulation minimum, through lack of prescience in anticipating a serious hiatus in recruiting.

Actual recruiters rather fear the new regulation; although most of them are now pretty well out of business, in any case. Economic conditions, as they have forced the new scale of pay and eventu ally closed down or forced the sale of many plantations, will probably induce

the native to work for the new wage.

That is, if in the meantime, the habit of going to work has not become completely lost.