Solomon Is. Trading
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Letter to the Editor. ■DEGARDING the prices alleged by “Non-Trader” as having J>een charged the natives by a British trader in the Solomons, all I can say is that the prices enumerated are, without exception, ex actly double those charged by the generality of British and Chinese traders in the Solomons.
The internal evidence of your corres pondent’s letter reveals to any experi enced Islander: (a) That the natives were pitching a “tale of woe” into “Non- Trader’s” receptive ear. (b) The British traders mentioned were exceptional freaks. Like any other body we British traders have our museum pieces.
In any case, the articles quoted— pencils, writing pads, metal and boot polishes, rubber shoes (in a largely un educated and barefooted country)—taken in the mass are scarcely worth while for the trader to stock, as they constitute perhaps only one half of one per cent, of his total turnover. He carries them more for service than for profit.
I am etc.,
Leslie F. Gill (“Trader”).
Gizo, S.I.
June 14, 1935.