Mission Trading
p. 43 · Read in the full issue
The Problem of Kwato
Letter to the Editor.
SEVERAL letters have been published lately in the “P.I.M.” on the subject of mission trading. These point out that certain mission stores were offering serious competition to the smaller traders.
In most cases the missions, when it was brought to the notice of their councils, did the fair thing and closed down. The Anglican mission, of course, have always kept themselves clear of business.
The L.M.S. were wrongfully blamed for Kwato Extension Association’s trading activities, and disclaimed all responsibility in the “P.I.M.” and, further, undertook to close all their stores that were in competition with the legitimate trader.
The R.C. mission at this end of the country also keeps out of business as far as I know.
This leaves Kwato as the only concern here who profess to combine religion with business and missionary work with moneymaking.
Can this be done? Whatever overseas people think, it is certain that those in this country consider it impossible. The bias is too great and the advantages of the mission influence too strong.
I know little, or nothing, of Kwato’s mission work, but there is no doubt of its commercial worth in business. Mr. Fletcher has pointed out that apart from direct financial assistance and Government sympathy, the “mission'touch” auto matically frees them from Government supervision, and the Association realises this.
If they are a business concern they should cer tainly not have all these advantages over their competitors and a thorough airing of their methods and activities should be instituted at once, and the Association placed on an equal and fair basis with those with whom they compete. They should have to comply with the Native Labour Ordinance, forego the subsidy and the use of mission gifts (in money or kind) in their business.
If, on the other hand, the mission work is their object, it is no one’s business but their own, and that of their subscribers, and they should follow the very decent example set by the other missions and stick to their job.
If their competition were fair, it would be bad enough, these hard times, for the white artisan to compete with cheap native labour. But with all the additional advantages they have, the Association has a virtual monopoly of the low price work, and no one can quote against them.
The conditions that make these low prices possible are the white tradesman’s difficulty. Till these are altered he has not a hope of competing.
Getting them altered is the trouble. There is a lot of talk about it, but, as usual, nothing is done. Boatbuilders, carpenters, and tradesmen generally have been seriously affected by Kwato competition. They grumble and put up with it because they do not see what can be done. A deputation to the Governor must go armed with facts, and these are hard to obtain. The average white man has a sense of decency which prevents his cross-questioning a native (especially about other whites). The Government is reluctant to give any information as to the conditions of employment of the Kwato natives. The mission subscribers are thousands of miles away.
Though the Government could do much to right things I doubt if they will. They do not realise the advantage that is being taken of their laxity.
What complaints they hear are put down to ordinary business jealousy, and things drift on, and Kwato makes hay whilst the sun shines.
The letters from Mr. Harrison and Mr. Fletcher that you have published will, I hope, be read by the actual subscribers to Kwato, and the donors of the generous gifts they receive. These people are scattered all over the world, and they hear only one side of the story—Kwato’s. They may be interested to know that Kwato has just suc cessfully tendered for the freighting of Waigani and Hagita plantations, in Milne Bay, by cutting the price to a very low figure. They are using the new launch for this, with a native crew. The engines were, I believe, a gift to the mission.
Was it intended that they be used in this way?
I am, etc.,
Norman H. Izod.
Samarai, 14/1/35.
EDITORIAL NOTE: It surely should not be difficult to prepare a case and submit same to the Lieutenant-Governor, who always has shown his readiness to protect and assist legitimate en terprise, and who can be depended upon for absolute impartiality and justice. There appears to be very strong feeling in Eastern Papua regard ing Kwato’s trading activities, and the matter really should have some attention.