Gilbertese Strike On Ocean Island
p. 20 · Read in the full issue
Ocean Island
IT was reported from Suva on May 29, that a strike had started among Gilbertese labour on Ocean island on May 1 and was still unsettled.
About 1,100 Gilbertese employed by the British Phosphate Company were in volved and the company had found it necessary to suspend the remaining labour force of the island (mostly Chinese) consisting of about 100 men.
The strikers are demanding higher wages to meet increased cost of trade goods. They want £lO a month, or re patriation.
It was announced by the Western Pacific High Commission that the Resi dent Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Island Group would visit Ocean island and attempt a reconciliation.
Nothing has been heard from Nauru, where a somewhat similar labour force is engaged on similar work.