Fiji Planter's Troubles

Manpower

Problems

FTTT now annparc to ho PvnPriPnHno- Q n ino P • g 11 the minor troubles of a major war.

In particular, “manpower” has almost dried up According to the “Fiji Times” of Janu ary 15, a European settler of Sigatoka, took the Government’s “Grow More Food” campaign, of several months ago, to heart. He grew three tons of pump kins for the Americans - because, as everyone knows, pumpkin-pie is an American tradition and people in the States practically live on it. However, the American soldiers stationed in Fiji are a lot of turncoats-they call it “hog food” and refuse to eat it. (Nonetheless, remarks the “Times,” canned pumpkin is imported, and presumably eaten.) Consequently, the Sigatoka grower was left with his pumpkins—which he can not even take to the Suva market, because there is no transport available.

This same grower planted 7i acres of “long beans,” because the Army was prepared to take 6,500 lb. per week, at a lemunerative price. But now he wants 10 men daily to harvest them, and can not get them. Approximately 40 tons of ripe beans were lying on the ground in January.

All the available “manpower” in some districts has been diverted to laundry work for the soldiers. In many cases, these amateur laundrymen have no faci lities other than the streams and the stones therein. But it is highly profit able—it is reported that one Indian and his wife are making £45 profit per month.