Experiment

The Great Mangaian Experiment

A Mangaian trader, Mr. Edwin Gold, recently had this to say about Mr. Ronald Syme’s Co operative experiments on that Cook island: TO date no actual co-operative activity is visible . . . the fancy goods and clothing supplied by Mr.

Syme’s native representative are un questionably cheaper than similar goods opposition traders offer, but whether this can be maintained as a permanent feature is more than debatable.

This is the point that causes opposers of the co-operative system to declare emphatically that it is not aiding Islanders to get them used to artificially low prices, and then—as inevitably happens with these schemes —discover that under the philanthropic methods em ployed, the business cannot stand the rude shocks of Island trading, such as hurricanes, deterioration, bad debts, maintenance, etc. Pilfer ing by natives staffs is another factor.

As an established Mangaian trader of 30 years’ experience, I see no future for the projects of Mr.

Syme. All that can be looked for is a temporary upset of trade, caused by the immense gap be tween what Mr. Syme can do, and what others can do. Natives will flock to a new store, because it is

a new store! Then they drop away, and although prices of some things may be half those of the “robber baron” stores, old customers of these return to that fold where they have (allegedly) been so long fleeced.

I have never seen a co-operative succeed, or even endure long, even where directed by experienced old hands.

If Mr. and Mrs. John McAlpir who were married at South Cambe well Methodist Church, Melbourr on November 5, will live at Madar New Guinea, where Mr. McAlpi] is a Patrol Officer. The bride w formerly Miss Verne Richards, Melbourne. Best man, Mr. F. Marti is also a Patrol Officer in N( Guinea.