Japanese Poachers

In Pacific

Destruction of Important Industry

ALTHOUGH the commercial, as well as the military energy of Japan, appears to be wholly engaged in China, the fact remains that the large numbers of Japanese vessels, which come down among the Southern and Western Paci fic Islands, to obtain shell, show no sign of diminution.

The Japanese have cleaned out the shell and ruined the old-established shell industry in the waters immediately north of Australia, and now they are extending their activities in the islands further east, especially the New Hebrides, the Solomons, New Caledonia and there abouts.

One well-known trader, writing from Vanikoro on January 5, says: “Many Japanese vessels are visiting this group (Southern Solomons) in search of shell.

Among them are large ships of from 20 to 35 tons. Some have radio aboard. All these ships are very fast little vessels— about 10 or 11 knots”.

It is announced elsewhere that a Jap anese vessel which was captured in the New Hebrides managed to escape on a technicality and sailed from Port Vila on December 25.

The real harm is not done so much by poaching—although that is irritating enough. The thing that the Europeans all through the Islands complain about is the manner in which these Japanese poachers invade territorial waters and scrape the baby-shell off the rocks, and so destroy the possibility of any further growth. This is the action of semi-sav ages; and it is beyond any doubt that, if drastic action is not taken by the British and French, to put an end to such activities, the shell industry of the South Western Pacific, which has been worth many millions of pounds during the past few decades, will be entirely destroyed.