BSIP Copra

Workers Get Big Wage Increase

Lever’s Pacific Plant tions Pty. Ltd. has agreed increase the wages of all i workers in the BSIP by 2 per cent., retrospective

from February 1. T 1

agreement was made after series of conferences wi the Solomon Islands Wo kers’ Union.

OTHER agreements are that bonus system will cease; th; eight-hour day will be worked; the minimum copra cutters’ daily put must be 300 lb; and that minimum brushman’s daily o must be 45 palms brushed gr level.

Lever’s now has the biggest development area of coconuts ii Pacific, according to Dr. J. Barra the South Pacific Commission.

Dr. Barrau visited Yandina cently to see the progress being i with the Coconut Agronomy Sch started by Lever’s Agronomist, Greene, and now carried on in junction with the Government.

Recent Development

Dr. Barrau said later that the recent development was the fellii trees on forest land at Loavie, ning from the spacing and fert trial plots almost to Sunlight Pas and the planting of new coc< among the felled timber.

The spacing and fertiliser plots were giving some indicatio the degree of resistance to attac Brontispa of various types of coc< Further experiments were I made with the planting of new c nuts among old groves to deter: how long the young trees could n tain their growth rate in compet with the old palms, and at what they must be removed.

Dr. Barrau added that he was much impressed with the pro; made since his last visit to Yan about two years ago.

Other news of the BSIP copn dustry is that 2,237.6 tons of c were produced in the Protectorat January this year. This is 120 above last year’s January produ* figures.