Tonks’ Strike Is Over
p. 129 · Read in the full issue
EARLY in June the Tonkinese taxi drivers ended their strike and put their cabs back on the road and are observing Govern ment regulations—where their fares insist upon it.
Because of excessive demands the Government, four months ago, brought in regulations and a scale of charges which was approximately 8 francs (1/2 Aust) per half mile.
The Tonkinese resisted this on the grounds that the cost of petrol was constantly increasing in price—it is now 6/8 per gallon; motor-parts are more expensive; and local roads are so bad that maintenance of vehicles is very costly. They fin ally went on strike in support of their demand that the rate of 10 francs per kilometer (1/6 per half mile), which does not seem exces sive.
Sir Brian Freeston, Secretary- General of the South Pacific Com mission, visited Fiji and Honolulu in June and July, and called at Sydney on his way back to head quarters at Noumea. In Honolulu he had useful conferences with the Administration of the American Trust Territory of Micronesia, which recently joined the South Pacific Commission area.