Japan's Southwards

Thrust

Ruin of Australia's Pearling Industry

THE Southwards thrust of Japan con tinues.

Early in May, a fleet of no less than 116 Japanese pearling vessels from Pa lau, in the Caroline Islands, appeared off the northern coast of Australia, and pro ceeded to fish for pearl shell.

It was reported in the “Sydney Morning Herald” that the quota allowed to each vessel was 30 tons of shell for the sea son; and it was pointed out that, if each vessel secures its quota of shell, the total will be 3,480 tons, which is double the usual trade requirement of the world.

This overwhelming invasion by Japan ese pearlers of what was exclusively an Australian business, has not only destroy ed the Australian character of the indus try, but is in danger of destroying the in dustry itself. Last year, the activities of the Japanese produced an enormous quantity of pearl shell much of which is still unsold, with the result that the cur rent market price has fallen very seri ously. Further, the Japanese, by taking “chicken” shell, have wiped out many shell-beds.

This is only one more example of what European communities in the Pacific must face in the ceaseless and merciless expan sion of Japanese interests and activities.

It was announced on May 12 that the Japanese luggers had anchored off the North Australian coast. Owing to the war in China they were unable to receive oil supplies from their usual sources, and were trying to purchase oil and other necessary commodities in Darwin.

It was reported in the Dutch East In dies in mid-April that, since the begin ning of 1938, Dutch naval ships have ar rested 10 Japanese motor fishing-vessels in the Rhio Archipelago, south of Singa pore. Dutch destroyers are patrolling the East Indies constantly, trying to keep off the ever-increasing swarms of Japanese fishing-vessels which, unless checked, have no hesitation in invading the three miles’ limit.

The East Indies, being nearer to Jap an, will feel the pressure more quickly than the British and French islands south of the equator; but that does not lessen the ultimate menace.

Mr. Percy Drayson, manager of New

Guinea Estates, Ltd., died in Madang

Hospital at the end of March, after a short illness. He arrived in the Terri tory in 1929 to take charge of the Dylup,

Karenap, Sarang, and Walog planta

tions.