In Defence Of The Trader
p. 70 · Read in the full issue
Letter to* the Editor I HAVE read with interest Mr. Arthur L. Ethell’s article in your April issue about traders exploiting the natives.
Can Mr. Ethell name one trader who is living in Australia who has retired on his earnings; or two men who have left an estate of more than three figures?
Traders cannot afford to take a three months’ holiday every two years. Many men on wages imagine there is a fortune in trading. But turnover is small, and overhead expenses heavy. Boats and en gines are expensive and their up-keep large. Most traders need a launch.
A trade store is needed on a plantation to draw casual labour, but it takes uo a deal of one’s time. Natives like to dilly dally when buying. Also one has to give a certain amount of credit—and that means bad debts.
Many men have gone broke, trading, and have needed their passages paid out of the country. Until recently, one needed a bond of £3O when entering the Terri tories.
I am, etc..