Cutters

20 Italian Copra

periment In New Hebrides

I From a Special Correspondent

Port Vila, Jan. 29

PARTY of 20 young Italians I (between 21 and 28 years old) arrived in New Hebrides, per [ynesien in mid-January, under itract to Captain Graziani. They i to be employed on copra-cutting Mr. Graziani’s plantation at g Harbour, Santo, and will get ' to £2B Australian per month, i quarters. They are on 3-years itract; after which they have the )ice of remaining in NH, taking ler French or British nationality, being repatriated, labour is extremely short here. b experiment is being watched h interest. •rom the economic viewpoint, can lians take the place of natives copra-cutting? They get better jes, and they must get better d and housing. They must be tected against malaria. Presum- V, it will be necessary to keep m under shelter, and bring the s to them.

'hey are good-looking, well ssed young men, the majority k, but two fair. Their intro tion cost over £225 per head.

Esn’T Australia Care ?

Letter to the Editor DES Australia realise that Chinese in considerable num bers now are being admitted to New Hebrides as labourers? (ho are these Chinese? Where they “screened” ? What are the ditions of their entry? Are they be repatriated at the end of a >ur contract? have been trying to get some •rmation, but officials are cent. Some told me they were itish” Chinese from Hongkong, have learned that the last party not Chinese bom in Hongkong, are men bom in China, and nese nationals. They carry sports issued by the Chinese imunist Government, here now are Chinese com lities established in New Guinea. >mon Islands and New Hebrides, sn’t Australia care?

I am etc.,

Old Nh Planter.

, 1/2/52.