mining Industry

Dearth Of Labour In

Fiji

Planters Feel Effect of Gold mining Industry

A SIGNIFICANT warning that copra producers in Fiji are likely to ex perience difficulty in securing their labour requirements in the future was contained in the bulletin issued to members of the Coconut Planters’ Union Limited on No vember 7.

Commenting on the economic and in dustrial effect of the goldmining industry in its relation to planting, Messrs. Brown and Joske, Ltd. (managing agents for the Planters’ Union) said: “The main problem confronting coconut planters at present is undoubtedly the shortage of labour. This is due to the advent of goldmining. At the Emperor mine alone the average number of Fijians employed is 450. No particulars are avail able of the number employed at Loloma or at Mt. Kasi, nor at the prospecting concerns, but it would appear likely that the total number of Fijians emploved by the goldmining industry is over 1200.

“In addition, a large number of Fijians are engaged on road construction for the Goyerhment. Although, of course, the number is not so large as in 1932, when over 1100‘ Fijians were employed on the construction of the trans-insular road.

“The Emperor mine estimates that by September, 1937, it will be milling 12,000 tons of ore per month, as against about 2,000-2,500 tons at present. It estimates further that it has enough ore in sight to keep the mill supplied at the rate of 150,000 tons per annum for more than five years. Loloma reports ore reserves in sight for at least four years when ‘in full swing.

“It is clear, therefore, that in view of the mining development programme, coconut planters will find it difficult to secure their labour requirements for the next few years.”

Mr. W. Mi row, who has extensive plan tation interests in the Mandated Terri tory, returned to Sydney after a short visit to Rabaul by the Neptuna in mid- December.

Mr. B. Hill, who conducts a legal business at Wau, on the New Guinea goldfields, arrived in Sydney from Salamaua by the December Neptuna.