And E. Natives

RE

Axed In Copra

i N Ordinance to Provide for the L Taxation of Landowners” dated December 24, was the Western cific High Commission’s Christmas ;sent to the Gilbert and Ellice ands. rhere are 27 inhabited atolls in ; G and E. Colony: the economy the Colony (apart from Ocean and) since the war and the tual elimination of private enter se, has been largely carried on a Government trading organisa n and the native co-operative ieties (Tangitangs); and the tives now enjoy a large and in iasing measure of self-govern nt.

Sxcept for Ocean Island’s phos ate, copra is the staple product these atolls. Britain is trying make the WPHC Territories bear re of the cost of their own ad aistration; and now the taxation the G & E Colony has been put a copra basis. lach inhabited island (or atoll) the groups has been allotted a nage of copra which it must, h year, deliver to the Govern nt. The native Island Council divides the tax among the land aers, according to its local know ge; and any landowner who fails deliver his allotted amount is lished by fine.

Tie allotments are made accord to population. The two most >ulous islands of Abemama and aiteuea must each provide 53 s; Abaiang, 46 tons; Tarawa 42 s; Butaritari, 40 tons; and so on. vly-settled Sydney and Gardner, the Phoenix group, are allotted ons and 1 ton, respectively.

'he total tax imposed is 572 tons, the British MOF price of £65 . per ton, this is worth over ,000 Aust. to the Government, ite a help, when added to the enue derived from the Ocean tnd phosphate industry.