Do You Remember?

From PIM of 20 Years Ago.

IN October issue of 1936, the PIM was full of stories of Japanese sam-pans and poachers who were systematically raiding the trochus beds of the SW Pacific. But nothing much else was ruffling the waters of the pellucid Pacific—even copra was considered to be doing very nicely, for the moment; and

gold mining was still booming in

New Guinea.

Here are some other extracts from our issue of 20 years ago: Copra prices were high and the outlook good, we reported. This was due (in part) to an agreement between Britain and Norway on Antarctic whaling. The negotiations were pro tracted because "Norway wanted figures limited to those of 1935-36 whereas Britain sought exceptions in favour of the Unilever and Salve sen companies—famous as friends of copra producers!" (Copra price was £l5 per ton, c.i.f. London, for top grade). * * * "It was announced in Noumea that an official mission, sent by the French Govern ment, arrived in Papeete on September 26 to investigate a series of events known locally as the 'Kong Ah Scandals'." * * * Swarms of Japanese sampans were reported poaching in Australia, New Guinea, Solomons, New Caledonian and Fiji waters. In the Fead Islands (NG), Japs had fired on natives when

discovered taking shell; in Fiji a Jai ran aground at the mouth of the Labasa it was towed off by two local boats and under a form of arrest —but the Japs c lines securing them to the other vesses got away. * * * In Fiji the Colonial Sugar Refining Ci decided to go into the pineapple t business. The company, we said, had b« vestigating the industry for months, an sore to make a success of it. They d! —for 20 years; earlier this year (1956 stopped canning, and there are now nt apple canneries in Fiji. * * * On the Rai Coast of New Guinea, A;< District Officer Norton had been attacl natives ... the men grabbed him wW women hacked at him with knives, result of his wounds, one of his lei: later to be amputated). About the samu in the Wewak District, a patrol under Officer G. W. L. Townsend arrested two for the murder of recruiter C. A. Goug!| weeks earlier. * * * The Samoan Planters' Association, Cl of Commerce and other organisation! individuals had forwarded a strong pro: the New Zealand Government again:! threatened deportation from Western Sat Chinese and Melanesian plantation (There were only about 75 Melanesians Territory at the time —from NG and BSli they had been there from 30 to 40 yea: married Samoans and had no ties wild homeland).