Value
p. 50 · Read in the full issue
Dollars For Torres Island
Pearl Shell
Trochus Still Far Below Pre-War Value
NORTH Australian pearling is at present earning dollars for Australia. Latest market quotations indicate that pearl shell is selling (mostly to America) at £525 per ton. Trochus shell, however, is bringing only about £75 per ton, in com parison with the pre-war price of £l7O.
The Torres Strait industry is support ing about 1,000 men—Boo of them native Islanders, who have taken the place of the Japs, in whose hands the industry was formerly. Present indications are that the Japs will never again be per mitted to work in the pearling fleets.
Wages of Torres Islanders working on the pearling luggers have been increased from £l/5/- per week to £3/15/- per week, with keep.