Patriotism!

Tropical Planters and Their Markets

A VALUED correspondent in Papua, writing about the position of cocoa producers in New Guinea, says that a similar position has developed in connec tion with East African coffee; and he sends the following cutting: A reader of The Times Weekly Edition writing from Kenya Colony, says:— “It is painful and humiliating for the coffee planters of Kenya Colony, more especially at a time like this when we have

loyally celebrated the King’s Silver Jubilee, Empire Day, and the King’s birthday, to feel that our Empire coffee trade is being steadily ruined by foreign competition.

“It is no proud boast for the Empire to read that in the London market, while there is no interest in East African coffees, there is keen competition for Costa Rican offerings. In the past 40 per cent, of the total exports of Kenya, the Empire’s latest Colony, has been due to coffee. To-day the pioneers who made that Colony are being ruined through foreign competition. The coffee planters of the Empire are feeling ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Fas cist’ because they feel that Fascism would not tolerate Empire producers being ruined by foreign competition. Why should con stitutional democracy tolerate it either?”

“The tropical producer who depends for his market upon the patriotism of so-called British manufacturers should be put to bed in a cool room and expertly treated,” adds our Papuan friend.

Dr. W. Worger, District Medical Officer of Fiji, returned to Suva by the Aorangi on January 10 after a visit to Europe.

He was accompanied by Mrs. Worger.