Thursday Island Trochus
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
HPHOUGH there was a shortage of labour in A some trochus fleets operating out of Thursday Island during the season jus: ended, the season was reported as reasonably pros perous, due to the high prices paid for trochus.
Some lugger owners said that the answer to the labour problem lay in providing better conditions for the lugger-men. Thos- firms which have provided good conditions are having few labour troubles.
Mr. H. A. Adair, MR, who visited the island in December, said in reply to questions regard ing the introduction of indentured Japanese or other skilled labour for the industry, that the Queensland State Government wa« totally opposed to the introduction of such labour.
If necessary, help should be given in the training of local men, but on no account should there be a return to the use of in
dentured labour as was done before the war.
The industry should be reserved entirely for the Torres Strait Islanders.