Torres Islanders As Pearl
p. 30 · Read in the full issue
Divers
ACCORDING to the Queensland Minister for Health and Home Affairs, (Mr. Jones) Torres Strait Islanders are being trained to carry out dressed-diving in the pearling industry.
In pre-war days it was done by either Japanese or Malays; then not more than half a dozen islanders were employed in the pearling industry as dress divers.
To demonstrate that the Torres Is lander was capable and willing to use the diving suit, the State Government has fitted out two luggers to provide training for those islanders as dressed divers.
'Mr. Jones said that investigations re veal that approximately 30 islanders were now capable of winning shell from the beds in diving suits. Within a few months six to eight more luggers will be carrying diving equipment, and an order had been placed with an English firm for the most up-to-date engines and compressors.
Within a few years there should be sufficient divers amongst the islanders to obviate any necessity for the introduction of alien labour.—PEAßL.