The Condominium
p. 17 · Read in the full issue
Farce
A Planter Writes Bitterly
A PLANTER in the New Hebrides in a recent letter writes very bitterly about political and economic conditions in the Condominium.
He again lays emphasis on the fact that French interests are steadily and consist ently supporting French planters and increasing the hold of the French in the Group, while the few remaining British planters are as consistently ignored. He says that at one anchorage in the Group the French planters then were receiving for their copra £7 per ton, plus a bonus of 200 francs; native copra brought £7 per ton; but the best price offered for British copra was £4 per ton—and “not wanted, at that.”
This, says our correspondent, is typical of what is happening in the Group. The British planters who several years ago were induced to settle there have been practically forgotten and ignored. “Under these conditions, it is very hard to under stand how or where this much-boomed British justice comes in, as we British planters are still expected to make our own living, and pay our share of public costs.”
Our correspondent comments on the fact that, while no attempt whatever is made to encourage British settlement, or protect existing British interests, the British side of the Condominium Administration is fin anced through the Colonial Office, just as it always has been financed, and all the British administrative machinery remains in existence. Why maintain this ex pense? Why continue the farce? Why not hand over the Group to the French and cut out a heavy annual expense, from which no apparent benefit is derived?