“Make Paper”

S.I. Labourers’ Trick

Paid Recruits Refuse To “Make Paper”

From Our Own Correspondent.

Tulagi, June 17.

RECRUITERS in the Solomons Islands are finding themselves up against a rather hard problem that only prompt and sensible alteration of the Labour Regulation can solve.

Natives have recruited tolerably well since the reduced wage has been in force, but naturally prefer more if they can get it. Now they have inaugurated a system of joining the ship, taking six months’ wages on the strength of recruit ing, and then flatly refusing to have their agreement ratified.

The recruiter has to stand the loss in the first place, but of course will pass it on to the planter, for recruiting fees are now at an unprecedented and irreducible minimum. As the practice becomes known to be successful, it will mean an impos sible situation. Local officials realize the urgent need for a prompt alteration of the Regulation, and it is to be hoped that Fiji authorities can grasp the situation.

The first case of natives refusing to fulfil their moral obligations happened at an out-station. Since then it has hap pened more than once before the Inspec tor of Labour at Tulagi, where the best legal advice in the Group is procurable.

Recruiters feel sure that there is no remedy, short of an amendment of the Regulation.

Madame P. Vois, wife of the manager of the Caledon Nickel Co.’s mines in New Caledonia, arrived in Sydney recently from Noumea. She will be joined by her husband late this month and together they will sail for France. Mr. and Mrs.

Vois will return to Noumea in February next year.

Rev. H. T. Shotton, M.A., who arrived in Sydney from Kiriwina, Papua, by the April Macdhui on furlough, has applied for extended leave on account of illness.