Hamper

Labour and Shipping Hamper BSI Copra Producers

THE 37th annual report of Mamara Plantations Ltd. (which has ex tensive coconut properties near Honiara, BSI, and a paid-up capital of £89,000) says that, owing to bad shipping and labour conditions in the Solomons, only 32 tons of copra were cut last year.

This brought £1,145, but did not cover the year’s expenses by £24. Future produc tion depends on labour, which will not be forthcoming unless more regular ship ping and food supplies are maintained.

When the “Ryena” went up on the Queensland coast early this year, com munication between BSI and Australia was disrupted, food became scarce and the labour force then on the Mamara plan tations practically vanished. The position improved after the small Burns Philp ship “Muliama” went on the Sydney- Solomons run and 23 additional labourers were engaged in September, 1948.

In March this year, formal claims for war damage were lodged by the company with the War Damage Claims Commis sioner in Suva, Fiji. Claims totalled £32,690 but no authority has yet accepted any liability. Payment may be dependent upon receipt of reparation payments made by Japan to Britain.

It is estimated that about one-third of the coconut trees on the plantations were destroyed during the war.