"Good Old Days"

Why the Decline in Trade?

RECENTLY, a writer in the PIM, dis cussing the absence of shipping and trading enterprise, remarked that times have changed around Fiji. The same thing has happened in the Eastern and South Eastern Divisions of Papua.

Between 40 and 50 years ago, boats

were numerous, from a “mosquito fleet,” to several schooners of some 50 tons. Any time of the day, when under way, one could see a boat or two on the horizon.

Native sailing canoes were numerous, too —I have counted 12 at one time on the horizon, far and near.

One would always meet up with one or more Europeans during the day; there were also half-castes, Japs and Filipinos.

All parties appeared prosperous and cheerful.

At all anchorages there were small trading stations. The Japs and Filipinos were law-abiding, and when one called at their stations they were generous with food. The Japs cooked dainty meals, while the Filipinos generally opened a number of tins of food —more than were needed.

One old man used to specialise in curried chicken —when he saw a boat ap proaching his anchorage, a chicken went into the pot. He had an accordion, anc 1 entertained one with music.

Boats are almost unknown now, and sailing canoes few. Most of the white men have moved to the towns or Gov ernment stations. The Asiatics are all gone, and few half-castes remain. Most of the half-castes now are employed by the Government or business firms in the towns.

In those old days, from the hill in Samarai, looking over China Strait to wards Milne Bay during daylight hours, one would always see the boats going or coming; but for years, now, there is not one passing for days at a time.

War, or poor copra prices are not re sponsible for the decline —the change had set in before the war began. When this country was most prosperous, the copra trade had not really commenced.

D. H. OSBORNE, Samarai.