[?]Onditions Of Timber

Workers On Vanikoro

Letter to the Editor I N article under the heading X “H.C.L. in Vanikoro,” in the February, 1953, issue of PIM, mid be misleading to anyone not jquainted with a true picture of le present “set-up” on the Island.

There is reference to “an em oyee of a lumber firm.” The Kauri imber Co. Ltd., Melbourne, has for any years held the rights to fell tnber on the Island; but, since 49, the work involved has been idertaken by a contractor, who is sponsible for the employment of I European and native labour, id for providing such personnel th food and accommodation.

The Company, therefore, is in no ly responsible for the conditions present existing; but a repre atative of the Company is itioned on the Island in order to sure that the contractor performs, the best of his ability, his agree nt with the Company. /anikoro, as your article states, is lated geographically, and has an remely wet climate. It is there e, to be expected that quite a mber of the contractor’s em tyees, who were engaged in Aus iia, soon become discontented ing to the isolation and the natic conditions. fou will realise that this Com

pany has no control over the charges made for food « etc., this being a matter which is governed by the contractor. We do know, however, that tbe con t rac t o r has gone to considerable expense to provide amenities, especially for employees ar * d their wives who hve at the settlement at Peou Housing is adequate, electric light and power ar . e provided refrigeration and electrie stoves have been installed at no small cost - Such amenities, of course - cannot be provided for who wotlc in tVip KiKb i° mifes from the settlement some miles from the settleme nt.

We know that the contractor has on numerous occasions chartered, at considerable expense, a Qantas flying-boat to call at the island with urgently-required supplies. This has been necessary on account of the

infrequent visits of steamers to the Island to lift logs for Australia.

We trust that this letter will place the matter in its true per spective and allay any fears that the utmost is not being done by the contractor for his employees.

I am, etc., For Kauri Timber Co., Ltd.,

C. R. Ploog,

Melbourne, March 11.

Secretary.

The engagement has been an nounced of Miss Madeleine Jeffords daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W.

Jefford, of Port Moresby, and Mr.

William Schleusner, of Yule Island, Papua. “Bill” Schleusner has been a Native Labour official in the Yodda Valley in recent years.