Governmental Treatment

Of Small Planters

A RESIDENT of Fiji, an independent planter, writing to the editor of the “PIM” in October (two months before Japan struck!), hits straight from the shoulder:— Maybe, it is still considered that our now intensified propaganda re our shin ping shortage will continue to hide (1) the shocking mismanagement of the war so far: (2) the deliberate policy of ex ploitation of primary producers in all Colonies: and (3) the attacks on civilian morale in order to make it fighting mad against the German people.

So much for democracy! It’s there on paper, and has been for many years, but isn’t it about time it was put into practice?

What a dreadful mockery of democratic ideals it is, this callous treatment of genuine planters and the native primary producers. The demoralizing effects of unpayable prices and neglected planta tions were serious enough three years ago; but, to-day, the stagnation and semi-starvation to be found throughout the South Seas is a disgrace to the British Empire.

It is true that some efforts are now being made to stimulate production and improve the quality of copra, but the motive behind all this apparently is not to keep everybody on their toes, so to speak, but rather to keep everybody still on their knees. The Governments should not adopt a Pontius Pilate attitude any longer, and should most certainly not permit (or create) conditions which are, really, only favourable to “big” business interests It can be emphatically stated that the coconut industry out here has been crucified for the sake of the trading, gold-mining, and shipping combines.

Maybe it is still thought that this war can be won without enormous quantities of fats and oils. Surely the truth will be realized in time, and every effort made at last to encourage the British Colonies, particularly in the Pacific, to participate fully in the great Battle of Food which is now commencing.