“Chinese” Solomons

Islands

Letter to the Editor.

I AM glad to see that the Chinese trading question has been taken up so seri ously by some of our local people.

I can never understand the attitude of the Government in allowing Chinese to rank equally on matters of licenses and trading with European settlers.

As long as the Chinese remained in Tulagi, and carried on with gardening, laundry work, and a few stores, the situa

tion did not seem very serious; but now they are gradually creeping into every trade and on to every island in the group, upsetting the morale of the native (if any), ruining trade, and generally under mining discipline and respect.

On the island of Ysabel, we have hitherto happily escaped this trouble —although several times the question of a Chinese store has been brought forward.

Petitions have been signed by the traders and planters of Ysabel, the Melanesian Mission, and certain natives themselves praying that the Chinese be prevented from settling here.

In spite of all these protests, Chang

Cheong, trader and boat-builder, has erected a large store, of European con struction, at Mindoru, only 7 miles from a European store, and intends to start business almost immediately.

There are five good European stores already on Ysabel, as well as numbers of native stores and native hawkers.

When copra was down in price, Chinese traders did not buy. European stores never refused to purchase. The same thing applies to ivory nuts and shell.

When times are good, the Chinese are everywhere. When prices drop, or cash is required for tax-paying, the Chinese refuse to buy.

One writer in your columns complains of the term “British” being attached to Solomon Islands. I object, also, but not for the same reason as he gives. Under present conditions, “British” should be left out and “Chinese” Solomon Islands substituted.

I am, etc.,

Kathleen D. Bignell.

S.I., 12/5/35. (Trader’s Wife).