Pacific Islands Monthly

Vol. 1 No. 10 (May 14, 1931)
1931-05-14 · uncorrected OCR from NLA scans

THE Pacific Islands Monthly THE ONLY JOURNAL CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND TERRIToJeS AND GROUPS OF THE CENTRA L AND SOUTH PA CIFIC.

Vol. I—No.1 —No. 10 Registered at Q.P.0., Sydney, lor transmission by Post as a Newspaper SYDNEY; THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1931 1 Single Copy, flfd. \ Per Annum, posted, fl/-.

TUNG OIL South Sea Experiments

Fordii Or Montana

A GOOD deal of interest has been evinced in the possibility of cultivating tung oil trees in the Pacific Islands, as a result of the article in the April issue of this journal, and we have had several requests for further information.

Mr. W. R. Carpenter advises that he is experimenting in New Britain with several scores of trees of the Fordii variety, which were obtained from the Botanic Gardens in Sydney.

The trees are now about two years old.

Mr. R. C. Laycock, writing from Tulagi, Solomon Islands, early in March, says: “One of the companies has just brought in some tung oil (Aleurites Fordii) plants and seeds for trial. But as I tried some myself about 12 months ago, and they failed absolutely to grow on the best of soil, I rather fear that this species finds the climate too hot.

Perhaps the Montana species would be 0.K.”

Mr. Laycock lays his finger on a point that was later emphasised in our article in April—namely, that it is unlikely that the Fordii species will grow well in a tropical, oceanic climate. In China, the Fordii flourishes in Central China, particularly in the Yangtse Valley; while the Montana species does well in the hot coastal districts of Southern China, Cochin China and Burma. Fordii, therefore, should be suitable for cultivation in Australia and New Zealand, and-possibly in the higher, inland altitudes of New Guinea: but, as Mr. Laycock says, it is likely that Montana will do better than Fordii in the Pacific Islands generally. Fordii is the better oil producer, and therefore the better commercial proposition; but cultivation of Montana, if practicable, is also quite profitable.

N. Guinea Mining

Mr. Dunstan’s Investigations From Our Canberra Correspondent CANBERRA, May 12.

MR. B. DUNSTAN, formerly chief Government geologist in Queensland. is still in New Guinea, continuing his inquiry into the goldmining conditions there. The object of his visit is to ascertain whether, in view of the special conditions, any amendment of the mining laws is necessary.

The Papuan Government has asked that Mr. Dunstan’s services be made available for general geological work when he has completed his investigations in the Mandated Territory, and it has been arranged that this shall be done.

Whilst there have been no gold discoveries of any importance in Papua lately, it is desired that Mr. Dunstan shall make some examination of the country and report as to its possibilities.

Before the war there was considerable activity in copper-mining at Bootless Inlet, near Port Moresby—the Laloki Copper Mines. The works, however, were obliged to close down after the war, owing to the low price of copper, and the low prices which have since prevailed have rendered all efforts to revive the industry abortive.

Leipzig Trade Fair

Cabled advice has been received from the authorities of the Leipzig Trade Fair, in Germany, by their Sydney representative, Mr. liars. G. Brundahl, to the effect that the Spring Fair, which opened at Leipzig on March 1, was a great success. There were over 9,000 exhibitors.

Buyers were present from 86 different countries.

Papuan Native Labour New Regulations Mixed Reception Among Commercial Interests From Our Own Correspondent PORT MORESBY, May 2.

THERE have been two regulations of the Government lately that have caused. some comment amongst the planters, storekeepers and traders.

The first is, that guarantees for native labour contracts are, in most cases, not acceptable, and that it is now compulsory to pay native labour in advance, to ensure the native getting his payments, owing to the uncertain state of the different companies and plantations during the depressed conditions of the country.

The second regulation is that all natives are to be paid off in the districts they were recruited and to which they belong, and that no advances on their contracts are permitted while they are being employed.

These regulations are both in the interests of the natives, the second reg- •* vnsurin. the native his entire eamihgs when he reaches his home, amongst his own people, the first guaranteeing that he gets his money.

These new laws have caused inconvenience. In the first place it has been hard to find ready money to pay a considerable number of boys their wages in advance and their recruiting and signing-on expenses at the same time.

In the second instance some storekeepers and traders have relied almost entirely on the purchases of natives before leaving for their districts after the completion of their contracts.

However, it is hard to please everyone. The outside trader welcomes the changes. He now eagerly looks forward to “pay-offs” in his district.

Many natives are not entirely pleased with the regulations, especially those who do not wish to return to their homes to share their wages, and those who are disgruntled that no advances are allowed to them —which the new law prevents. Others, of course, are entirely satisfied and look forward to the dash they will cut in their villages while the money lasts.

It is compulsory for a native to return to his village after a period of five years’ service before making another contract. This is to ensure the consolidation and continuance of native village life, which, if broken up, would be disastrous to the Territory generally.

Cook Is. Wedding

Reception at The Residency From Our Own Correspondent RAROTONGA, April 28 THE first European wedding for some time took place here on April 7. The contracting parties were Miss Nancy Ayson of Toiro, Otago, and Mr. A. Stevens of Rarotonga.

Miss Ayson came to Rarotonga to work in the field of education, and to the natives and Europeans she has become well known and well liked by all.

The reception was held at the residence of Judge Ayson, the Resident Commissioner, cousin of the bride. The Residency stands on a low knoll in delightful surroundings and commands a fine view. The bride and bridegroom were surely favoured with the best that tropical beauty could offer them.

The bride looked charming in a beautiful frock of white georgette and lace.

Mr. G. H. Murray, Director of Agriculture in New Guinea, recently arrived in Sydney on leave.

Islands Ships

Itineraries Still Indefinite

Schedule Of Present

ARRANGEMENTS NO finality has yet been reached between the Federal Government and Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd., regarding the rearrangement of Islands steamers, but it is expected that a de finite decision will be reached shortly.

In the meantime the new M.V.

Macdhui is sailing from Sydney for New Guinea on May 16, and her schedule is published in cur shipping columns. The next vessel to New Guinea will be probably the Marsina, and her sailing date will be May 30.

As regards the Solomon Islands service, the Mataram will leave Sydney on her next trip on June 10. The succeeding trip will be made on July 18, but it is not known what vessel will be then on the service.

The Morinda will leave Sydney for Papua on May 27. The next trip is scheduled for June 24, but here, again, the steamer for that trio is not known.

For the Norfolk Island-New Hebrides service, the Makambo will depart from Sydney on the short trip on June 6. This vessel, or a substitute, will leave on the long Mp on June 25.

The Montoro is "ai present undergoing overhaul in Sydney, and she will not be in commission again until the latter end of June.

Honour For Peter

Old Life-Saver From Solomons From Our Own Correspondent.

SUVA, May 2.

THE Long Room in the Customs House recently was filled by officials and shipping men, gathered to do honour to the little old Solomon Islander named Peter. He has lived in Fiji for 40 years, and has been night watchman on King’s Wharf for a number of years.

During that time he has, all alone, saved the lives of two white men and one Chinese.

Following the second act of bravery, the Royal Humane Society’s attention was called to Peter by the Secretary of State, and Peter was awarded the certificate and bronze medal of the Society.

At 11 p.m. on December 11 last, he heard cries and found a Chinese in the harbour, and two Europeans on the wharf vainly trying to catch hold of the drowning man. Divesting himself of his much-loved tunic, Peter jumped into the shark-infested waters and rescued the drowning man.

The Comptroller of Customs (Mr. J M. Wilson), addressed Peter, who wore his medal, and said that the Governor had decided that a monetary recognition should be given to him, “as a small reward in recognition of your brave act.” Mr, Wfisor concluded, with some feeling, “I am proud to be the head of the Department that employs you.”

The address concluded with loud cheers and Peter’s hand was eagerly shaken by the people present, all of whom co n g r a t u lated him.

It was a great occasion for Peter, who was moved almost to tears by the enthusiasm around him. He stood there, with a slight smile on his face, but never a word could he utter.

Like many another brave man. he believed in deeds, not words Unilever and Copra’s Future

International Combine’S Stranglehold

Capitalisation Problem f or South Seas Planters BY R. W. ROBSON, EDITOR OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY.

TN my first two articles, written in London in January, I dealt A with two depressing and discouraging factors in the world copra market namely, the enormous over-production of all classes of vegetable oil seeds, and of whale oil; and the manner in which scientific discoveries and technical developments have allowed soap and margarine manufacturers to use, as substitutes for coconut oil, various soft vegetable oils and animal products which, formerly, could not be used in high-class goods.

In this article, I propose to give something about the most disturbing factor operating in the market —namely, the combination of buyers. The over-production of oil, and scientific progress, while unfortunate, cannot be resented —they are the natural results of commercial development and the law of supply and demand —and they will cure themselves.

BUT the Combine is in a different category. It is an artificial creation, a poisonous growth on the healthy body of trade, a sinister and cruel force designed to suck the pfeblood out of private -enterprise, and rob honest industry of its just rewards.

Most of the things which alarm the coconut planter to-day are of transient character—with other economic abnormalities, they presently will pass away.

The Combine, I fear, is here to stay for some time —merciless in its purpose, and so strong that it can defy the strongest selling agent and the most determined Government. At the present time it is completely in command of the European market. Overproduction, chaotic economic conditions, and buyers’ weakness —all have given it a hold of the market from which it cannot easily be pried loose.

I can see only one ray of hope in the situation a possibility that the bludgeoning of the market will give small manufacturers a chance. That possibility is dealt with later on.

In a world of great combines, Unilever is among the most powerful. I have not the exact figures but I know that they are startling. It dominates the soap and margarine making industries of Europe few, if any, manufacturers of importance are now operating against it. Its operations extend over the whole world, and it controls almost every selling market — except possibly those in North America.

UNILEVER’S HISTORY.

The growth of the Unilever Combine can be traced from developments before and during the war. Originally there were two big operators in the copra market Yergen and Vand^nberg, both Dutch. During the war, while the competing firms of the combatant nations were otherwise occupied, these two big concerns got together and bought a controlling interest in certain German mills.

After the war, a strong German organisation, the Heimer Combine, sprang up, and took control of mills in Czechoslovakia. Austria and Switzerland. It fought the Dutch Combine, and competition was healthy.

But the next move was bad —there came a Yergen-Vandenberg-Heimer combination, which gave them control of the margarine industry in nearly every country. They bought a mill in Latvia, a controlling interest in two big mills in Sweden, and, in the latter end of 1930, they got control of the Norwegian mills.

Meanwhile, the Continental organisation had linked up with British manufacturers—and so we obtain the famous “Margarine Union,” controlling margarine manufacture and distribution throughout Europe, and, in the copra market, buying for the mills of Britain, Scandinavia, Holland. Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Czecho-Slovakia.

During this period Lever Brothers were creating in the soap making industry of Europe the same dominant organisation that the Dutch-German Combine had brought into being in the margarine business. Since their chief raw materials were the same, it was inevitable that the Margarine Union and Lever Brothers should come close together—either as friends or enemies.

To the discomfiture of the oil seed producers of the world, they amalgamated their interests. And thus Unilever was born, less than two years ago.

Over Production Favours

UNILEVER.

No arguments or figures of mine are needed to show how Unilever can command the European copra market.

Even in normal times, the concentration of so much buying power in the one organisation must have adversely affected sellers’ interests. But, if ail the high gods had combined to arrange favourable conditions for the advent of Unilever in the raw materials market, they could not have improved the position as Unilever found it in 1930. The phenomenal over-production of every kind of oil-seed, and of whale-oil, simply invited Unilever to pay what it liked for copra and all allied commodities. Unilever, naturally, took full advantage of its opportunities, and has established itself, firmly and permanently, as the most powerful factor governing the European copra market.

Unilever completely controls the selling price of copra in Northern Europe.

The Marseilles group of copra buyers is independent of the Combine and provides the chief market for the South Seas product. But the Marseilles market absorbs only 100.000 tons of copra annually, and the buyers there natur-

(Continued On Page 2.)

Snapshot of Peter, with Mr. Wilson, head of Customs Department (second from right), just after the presentation.

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The American market is said to have maintained independence. But I was told in London in January that negotiations had been in progress between Unilever and some of the chief American consumers of vegetable oils.

The whole aspect of the coconut oil producing industry has altered in Europe. At one time a large proportion of the copra sold in Europe went to British mills. To-day, the London mills are crushing less than 1,000 tons per week. The work is being done in the Continental mills. The London brokers who deal in copra are now much reduced in numbers.

PUBLIC DOES NOT BENEFIT.

The most significant fact about these developments was thus presented to me by a leading merchant in the City of London, who is a keen student of the copra market: “Although prices of raw materials have fallen tremendously, and Unilever claims as justification of its existence that it has reduced overhead and production costs, the public has gained little advantage. The price of margarine today (mid-January) is substantially the same as it was two years ago. Unilever is getting the difference between £2B which it paid for copra two years ago, and £l5 to-day; and, apparently that difference is paying the interest on the amount involved in buying up all the rival crushing plants, and throwing them idle.”

Here is a well known London copra broker’s summary: “There are only two big buyers here now— Unilever and the Co-operative and Wholesale Co. The combines have had a tremendous effect on the trade —we sell to a few Combine buyers now, where before we sold to many individual mills. The chief Continental buyers are in Northern Europe and in France. There is a small demand from Italy, Spain and Turkey. The respective demands of soapmakers and margarine manufacturers for copra are just about 50-50.

“To my mind, the most reassuring argument, in regard to the future of your coconut planters, is that people must eat; that vegetable oils are a valuable food; and that the coconut product is the best of all these oils for food purposes. But, even when the world returns to normal consumption, 1 cannot see copra back to £25 and £2B per ton. There has been too much coconut planting in the last decade for sellers to regain control of the market, in our time.”

SIGNIFICANT FIGURES.

Just as I write this, there comes to my hand a series of articles, written by Isaac Marcosson for The Saturday Evening Post, and surveying the world’s economic condition. Two of his statements are, for my purpose, singularly apropos.

I have, in these articles, emphasised the price-depressing effect of the enormous over-production of oil-seeds. It is a condition common to almost every common product. Says Marcosson: “It may be interesting to note that, while world population increased by only 10 per cent, between 1913 and 1928, its production of foodstuffs and raw materials grew 25 per cent. Trade is 22 per cent, greater than in 1913.”

On the subject of combines, Marcosson is emphatic: “A factor which bears directly upon . . . the new world economic set-up lies in the growth of the international trust. With closeknit internation groups in a wide range of commodities from glue and glass to rayon and steel —there are more than 100 pooling arrangements in Europe. These trusts, all initiated and participated in by Germany, have succeeded because the element of politics has not been injected.”

What of the future?

Here (if I may recapitulate) are the chief factors which have brought about this depressed copra market: 1. A general inability to buy, the result of the world’s economic sickness. That is a temporary condition and will presently pass away. 2. Huge over-production of oil-seeds and whale-oil. That, also, is a temporary condition. The fall in prices to the level of production cost, and below, will inevitably reduce production, and price-levels will swing back again. 3. The treatment of soft oils so that they may be used as hard oils, in place of coconut oil. This appears to be a permanent condition, and must be faced.

Margarine-makers now can, and do, use up to 70 per cent, of whale oil. It comes down to a question of price. To obtain a hardened refined oil from whale-oil costs £6 per ton. To get a refined, deodorised coconut oil from copra costs £l5 per ton. It is calculated that the absolute nett cost of producing whale-oil is £l5 per ton. For comparison, the figure might be arranged this way: The report that Unilever now proposes to send its own whaling equipment to Antarctica, thus cutting out the Norwegian enterprises and the Norwegians’ profits, is significant and disturbing. 4. The domination of the market by the Unilever Combine.

It is apparent that Unilever plans to hold control of the market by balancing whale-oil against vegetable-oil.

This is easy, under the present depressed conditions: but it will not be so easy, once the economic pendulum swings back—as it inevitably will at an early date—and the world regains its buying capacity. Once let the market for oil-food products increase, and the Unilever manufacturers probably will have competition. Insofar that, while they are buying their raw materials at less than half of what they were two years ago, and selling their products at the old prices, they are to-day simply inviting competition.

While Unilever is supreme and unchallenged, the outlook for the copraproducer is not cheery. But if Unilever is vulnerable and can be attacked—and many well-informed men seem certain that Unilever will presently be challenged—the planter can take heart of grace.

PROBLEM OF CAPITALISATION.

Meanwhile, it is clear that the real and immediate problem for the South Seas planters particularly those in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea who are paying off Expropriated plantations —is one of capital cost. Most of the plantations established in the last 10 or 12 years are on a financial basis more or less fixed by the average price of copra between 1920 and 1929 —in other words, it is likely that for the most part, they represent a capital investment that is not now justified by their earning power.

It stands to reason that, so far as plantation properties generally are concerned except in cases where planters had been sufficiently far-visioned to treat the 1920-29 range of prices as exceptional and not normal — there must be serious and far-reaching readjustments of values. Where planters have built up no reserve, to permit a writing down of values to meet the new conditions, much in the way of “paper assets” (values created by boom prices) must disappear and, their disappearance must bring ruin to many hard-working men who bought their properties hopefully, but unwisely.

The position was admirably summed up for me in London by Mr. W. J Gilbert, president of the Copra-Buyers’

Association: “The problem for the coconut planter in the South Seas, I think, is one of capitalisation. I personally sold copra from the New Guinea and Solomons Expropriated plantations here in London, on behalf of the Australian Government, for £2B per ton. That was the price two years ago. To-day, that same quality copra is selling for £l4 and £l4/10/- per ton. There may be some recovery, but it stands to reason, in view of all the circumstances, that the price is not going back beyond £2O per ton. It may not, for some time, improve much on the present rates. The position of those planters who established themselves on properties, on a basis of £25 or more for copra, is pretty clear. They must write down their property values and reduce production costs, so as to make a profit on copra at £lO to £l2 per ton, on the plantation.

“I have heard discussions lately concerning what is to be the future ‘living price’ of copra on the plantation.

Copra is now coming into this market from one country where the producers, by careful capitalisation and close scrutiny of costs, can sell at £lO per ton, f.o.b. After that the copra has to bear the cost of freight, insurance, handling charges, loss of weight and commissions. The fair average f.o.b. price for Singapore, and that region, is £l2 per ton.”

Salamoa To Wau

Need For a Road

Safe And Economical

TRANSPORT THERE is no doubt that a road is necessary from Salamoa to Wau, if the New Guinea goldfields are to be developed on economical lines.

Air transport has its limitations, especially in a country where flying conditions are so difficult and, at times, treacherous. Only recently, that efficient organisation, Guinea Airways Ltd., had three minor mishaps to single-engined machines, and the company found itself with insufficient ’planes to cope with the cargo landed at Salamoa.

Of course, it is an accepted fact that triple-engined ’planes are safer than single-engined machines, but absolute safety cannot be expected. For instance, the three-motored Handley Page, owned by New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., crashed during unfavourable weather after eight months of splendid service.

Placer Development Ltd., before deciding on the transport by air of dredging machinery for Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd., engaged an engineer to report on the possibilities of constructing a road from the coast to the field, and his estimate of the cost of the work was £250,000. It was then decided by the directors that triple-engined ’planes, each capable of carrying 7,000 pounds per loading, would do the job.

Two Junkers were purchased at a landed cost of £65,000, and these are now both in New Guinea ready to commence transport work.

But for economy and safety, not only considering the companies, but also the many employees and individual prospectors on the field, a road is necessary. It need not be a paved or concreted highway, which would cost an enormous sum to construct. A cleared track would be sufficient during the present stage of development.

Along such a route could be hauled stores and equipment by the use of some motive power, such as caterpillar tractors. Although the country is known to be of a very mountainous nature, it should be possible to discover a likely track.

At present the price of transport from Salamoa to Wau is around 6d. to Bd. per pound, making a pound tin of meat cost 1/8 on the field, as against 1/- on the coast, and so on.

Overland transport would be far cheaper and, even allowing for the cost of constructing a road, it should be possible at half the cost of ’plane transport. And, what is more important, safety would be assured.

It seems an opportunity for some enterprising person, with a sound knowledge of the country and the necessary financial backing, to go ahead and blaze the trail.

Transition Of Fijians

MR. G. C. HENDERSON, M.A., has written a book which should be read not only by anthropologists, but also by everyone interested in Fiji. It is entitled “Fiji and the Fijians, 1835-1856,” and in it he gives a complete history of the Fijians in the period of their transition from the old order of living to the new. In the course of special investigations in Australia, Fiji and England. Mr.

Henderson has found large and important collections of original documents, which have helped him in the compilation of the book.

The author’s object in preparing the work has been to tell what seems to him to be the truth about the Fijians and their customs, the war between the heathens and the Christians and the work of the missionaries who resided in Fiji from 1835 to 1856. These three subjects have been expounded by Rev.

Thomas Williams, Wesley Methodist missionary, in his journal, and this Mr. Henderson elucidates.

The book is profusely illustrated. It is published by Messrs. Angus and Robertson, and the price is 25/-.

The number of foreign-going merchant vessels which entered Tonga during 1930 totalled 32, with a tonnage of 83,245. Warships to visit the Group during the year were H.M.S. Dunedin and H.M.S. Laburnum. 2 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

Unilever And Copra’S Future

(Continued From Page 1.)

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Papuan News

Copra Position Improve s-Promising Sugar Crop From Our Own Correspondent.

PORT MORESBY, April 16.

THERE is little to report in connection with the Territory’s commerce. Rubber and copra remain about the same, though there is more activity in the sales of copra, owing to the favourable rate of exchange on London.

Planters and traders are sending in their available copi*a at every opportunity, and there is some activity and competition for freights from rival firms. Freight charges have been cut, and this has benefited the planters a little.

When possible, all copra is being shipped direct to European ports by steamers under the agency of Burns.

Philp & Co. The Parracombe arrived on March 29 and took a full complement of cargo. The storekeepers here arrange to give both to themselves and their customers the benefit of the rate of exchange, which seems to satisfy most of them, but not all.

Cultivation Of Sugar And

COFFEE.

The cultivation of sugar is progressing and further operations are well under way. The country is watching with interest the operations of the Sangara Sugar Co.

The Government has high hopes for the future of two new industries sugar and coffee. There will be plenty of opportunities in this territory when conditions become more normal for energetic enterprise in these two lines for it has been realised that to rely on rubber and copra entirely for exports is unsatisfactory.

LADY MURRAY RETURNS.

Lady Murray returned to Papua with His Excellency, Sir Hubert Murray, K.C.M.G., on the last Morinda, after an absence of several months, during wdiich time she has journeyed to England and back.

Her reception by the ladies of Port Moresby was very warm and sincere, and many were down at the wharf as the Morinda drew alongside. The manner of the greetings, the flowers presented to her and the careful preparation of Government House can leave no doubt in Lady Murray’s mind of the esteem with which she is regarded by the women of Papua, and the pleasure her return has given them.

Lady Murray will be accompanying His Excellency on a visit of inspection to Daru, along the west coast of Papua, and they will be leaving almost immediately by the Laurabada, His Excellency’s yacht.

SPORTING ACTIVITIES.

Cricketers and golfers cricketers especially are most enthusiastic at present. Every Saturday cricket matches are played on the Oval and prove quite a good afternoon’s entertainment.

The golfing season and tournaments will be opening in May, and with the cooler weather there will be great activity on the links, which are improving weekly. Many new members are rolling up.

Badminton is also very popular with both men and women in the town. It is played inside the Institute Hall, afternoons and evenings. A good deal of skill is needed in the game, and the mixed doubles tournaments in the evenings are quite worth watching.

To Badminton are added swimming and canoe racing. So it would appear that Port Moresby, on the whole, is not entirely backward in sports and pastimes.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.

A number of residents are away at present from the Territory. Amongst them are His Honour Mr. Justice Gore and Mrs. Gore, who are absent on leave, and also the Hon. A. P. Lyons, Director of Public Works. Mr. G. M.

Turnbull, who has just returned, is relieving Mr. Lyons.

Mr. Ward Williams, the mining expert, who has been examining Panua’s prospects, has lately returned to'Port Moresby from the mainland, beyond Yule Island.

In anticipation of cooler weather and brighter times a dance was held in the Institute Hall on March 28, and in spite of the heat and mosquitoes it was a considerable success, no doubt due to the excellent orchestra under the management of Mr. Hannam, the musical virtuoso of the town.

T.I.’S “PEARL KING”

Sudden Death of Mr. Farquhar From Our Own Correspondent THURSDAY IS., April 16.

THE sudden death of Mr. T. J. Farquhar on March 21 removes one of the outstanding figures of Thursday Island, and deprives many people throughout the Pacific of ah old friend.

Mq Farquhar was undoubtedly a link with the past, and to men of his type a certain amount of romance always attaches itself on account of an adventurous career and associations with the days when Thursday Island was not quite the same peaceful, not to say tame spot, it is to-day.

Mr. Farquhar arrived at Thursday Island in 1893 in connection with the Queensland Pearling Co., and has been a prominent pearler ever since. Like most courageous men, he took risks in business at times and had his ups and downs, but in the main his shrewdness and capable management brought him success. He was essentially a lucky man and won through where a lesser man might have failed.

He shone in the difficult art of nearl dealing, being one of the chief local buyers, and many fine gems from Torres Straits passed through his hands.

In character he was marked by tolerance and good nature, qualities which made him a master man in dealing with natives, and there are many islanders who, having served him well, will regret the passing of an old “boss.” His readiness to help white men in distress was well known, and he had a special bias in favour of returned soldiers, having lost his eldest son in the war.

He was constantly to the fore in civic matters during his long residence and was instrumental in establishing the telephone on the island by giving a personal guarantee that at least 25 subscribers would come forward.

Socially, too, he will be missed: his striking personality, stock of local lore, and his genial manner attracted attention amongst all visitors. Many a writer features “Tommy, the Pearl King,” as he was called.

In matters of sport he thoroughly deserved that typically Australian title of honour—“ a good sport.” He attended and supported every form of game on Thursday Island, and had been himself a noted football player and amateur sculler in New Zealand.

The firm of Farquhars Ltd. will be carried on by his only surviving son, Donald Farquhar, but the pearling game will be the loser of one of ite keenest and brainiest followers.

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It matters not which way you turn — North, South, or East or West — And who can say one prospect is more fair than all the rest — There’s rr Hundred Acres,” "Ferny Lane,” and "Longridge Avenue”; Rose pink glows Phillip Island ’gainst the ocean’s attire hue.

The homesteads with their paddocks where the quiet cattle feed Bring to your heart a sense of peace, of calm that is your need; Far, far away seem war and strife, and pain and bitterness — The wind-song murmured through the pines is soft as a caress.

So, come away from the cities, oh, come away with me — You never will regret it, for, no matter where you be.

Whenever things seem all awry and life is losing Zest, You’ll ne’er forget that once you found "The Island of The Blest.” 3 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

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Cocoa has not yet been planted commercially, but individual trees seem to thrive well. Passion fruit is not cultivated, but when sown on abandoned clearings and old yam patches, it grows profusely. There is no direct tax on Europeans, but they pay a general import duty of 12 per cent, ad valorem. Apart from Government Gazettes, there are no publications or newspapers. English currency is used, but it is supplemented by an issue of Tongan Treasury notes. There are no banks, but money transfers can be made through the trading firms. Exchange varies in sympathy with the N.Z. and Fiji exchange. The cost of living is about 20 per cent, higher than in Australia and N.Z. Boarding house charges vary from £8 to £l2 per month.

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New Guinea

Notes From Rabaul From Our Own Correspondent.

RABAUL, April 20.

THE buildings for the new Native Maternity Welfare Centre at Malambunga, near the Bainnings District, are nearing completion, and the second Nursing Sister has now arrived in the Territory.

The new Rabaul Club building is showing good progress, and it should not now be very long before it is ready for occupation.

NEW COMPOUND FOR NATIVES.

It has been proposed that a new native compound should be built at Rapindik, where all Government indentured natives may be quartered, thus keeping a great many natives out of the town area after nightfall.

This work cannot be commenced this financial year, however, as there are no funds available at present. But we have great hope that in the next financial year the work shall be gone on with.

COPRA SHIPMENTS. 1930 1931 January 7,937 Tons 5,882 Tons February 2,263 Tons 4,908 Tons March 2,263 Tons 5,528 Tons Shipments of copra by the Nord- Deutscher Lloyd steamer Bremerhaven are now considerable. Last trip the Bremerhaven took a full quota of cargo, and we understand that space for the next trip is fully booked.

PLANTERS’ APPEAL.

The Returned Sailors and Soldiers’

Imperial League, Rabaul branch, has been in communication during March with the Commonwealth Government, with a view to having the present suspension of payments to the Custodian of Expropriated Properties extended for another year, owing to the continued low price of copra.

The returned soldiers of the Territory have decided to form a Returned Soldiers, Planters and Traders’ Sub- Branch, which will be affiliated with the Territory of New Guinea State Branch. It is believed that such a move would be for the benefit of the returned soldiers interested in planting and trading, as these comprise 90 per cent, of the planters of the Territory.

They would then have the support of the governing body in Australia, and any representations made to the Commonwealth Government would have 1 the backing of that strong organisation.

EDUCATION TAX OFF.

The Administration has notified the R.S. and S. League that the native education tax of 1/- per native per month, which is paid to the Government has been waived until June 30, 1931. This concession is greatly appreciated by the returned soldier planters, as it represents in the vicinity of 3/per ton on their copra.

PERSONAL.

The Administrator, Brigadier-General Wisdom, recently returned after an absence of about three months in Australia, on official business.

Our popular principal medical officer, Dr. T. Brennan, with Mrs. Brennan and family, has returned after an absence of twelve months in Australia. During his absence, Dr. Brennan did a course in tropical medicine at the Sydney University, and gained his Diploma of Tropical Medicine.

Mr. E. P. Chinnery has returned after an absence of twelve months. Mr.

Chinnery carried out a very extensive tour and, during the time he was awav went to Geneva on behalf of the Administration to advise the League o f Nations on native questions connected with this Mandated Territory.

Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Carpenter, of Messrs. W. R. Carnenter & Co. Ltd., naid a short visit to Rabaul. per M.V.

Templar, in April, and returned to Sydney bv the same boat.

Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, of Kokopo, have returned, after an absence of four months.

Mr. E. M. Granter, who has been absent on leave in Australia for the past six months, has returned to Rabaul.

Mr. G. T. Wells, of the Lands Department, is back again after a few months’ leave in Australia.

Our Chief Collector of Customs, Mr.

E. Featherstone Phibbs, proceeded south by the St. Albans last week on leave.

SOCIAL NOTES.

The Rabaul Masonic Lodge gave a ball just before Easter, which was one of the best organised functions held in the Territory. The Regent Theatre which had been engaged, was tastefully decorated, good music was provided by the Tropical Troubadours, and about 190 guests spent a most enjoyable evening.

The Kavieng cricket team visited Rabaul durine easter, in an endeavour to retain the “ashes.” which they had won last Christmas, but Rabaul on this occasion were too good for the visitors.

On Easter Monday a dinner and dance were elven to the visiters at the Rabaul Hotel, and His Honour the Administrator presented the “ashes” to the Rabaul team.

Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Heron, of Tovakundum plantation, gave a farewell dinner party at the Wunawutung Hotel to Mr. and Mrs. E. Featherstone Phibbs (Chief Collector of Customs') prior to their departure south on leave.

Fijian Farmers

C. S. R. Co’s Interesting Experiment Favourable Comparison with Indians From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, April 27.

ONE of the most important questions before the Fijian Administration for some time has been whether it was possible to induce the Fijian to become a settler, and settle down to fixity of purpose and cultivate the soil, as Indian farmers have been doing for many years.

Hitherto, the -Fijian has despised settled employment. He has hired himself out for a 12 months’ term on plantation work, but even then, he sometimes gets tired, and without rhyme or reason simply clears out. He has never shown a desire to become a cultivator. He plants his little garden with sufficient foodstuffs to see him through the year. The plants are put in, usually, with a sharp stick, just as his forefathers did a hundred years ago.

In recent years, however, some attempts have been made to make him take up agriculture seriously. Mere recently the C.S.R. Co., with a sympathetic Government behind it, has placed Fijians on ten-acre lots of cane country. It was an experiment, which old residents smiled at. To-day, the Fijian has conquered prejudice and is making good.

In this connection, Sir Maynard Hedstrom, who recently has been touring the flood-stricken areas of Ba and Lautoka, and along the northern coast, gives his impressions, in a most interesting article, published in The Fiji Times.

In it Sir Maynard shows that the experiment is proving a success. First of all, the men work as labourers, and thereby acquire a good deal of knowledge of the growing of cane. When blocks of land become available, likely looking Fijian labourers are given, each, a ten-acres block. They till this land in compliance with the rules laid down by the company, and under the immediate superintendence of a European overseer.

Marriage is encouraged, as the married state gives a better guarantee for a man to settle down. The natives erect their own bures and form village settlements. It is hoped that, finally, each family will work on its own block but, for the present, groups of Fijians work on a sort of co-operative plan, although when the cane is cut and delivered, the payments are made direct to each tenant, for his own particular block.

It was heartening for Sir Maynard to see young Fijians working in the fields. First, he saw two or three youths, from 16 to 18 years old, ploughing with pony ploughs, and they seemed to work their horses well and the ploughing was well done. Further on he saw a Fijian operating a four-horse disc plough, and managing his horses quite capably. He was making a good job, ploughing in ratoons. In another field he saw a number of men, women and some children, planting out cane.

The experiment had a bad beginning, because of the storms and floods, but they only served a good purpose by showing the mettle of the native.

While the Indian farmer, who had been affected by the floods, sat back mournfully, and contemplated, for say a couple of weeks, the havoc done, the Fijian farmer tackled at once the job of rehabilitating himself in many cases with a smile and a laugh. It was all part of the plan to these children of Nature.

An amusing instance is given of the native’s idea of the value of money.

Last season, when the native farmers were paid for their cane, they paid half of the proceeds into the Government Savings Bank. When their crops were destroyed last February, and they were living on wild yams and ivi nuts, the overseers suggested that they draw the money, or part of it, from the bank for necessities. They frankly rejected the idea at once, SAYING

That The Money Had Not Been

THERE LONG ENOUGH. Questioned, the overseer said that the Fijian farmer was proving himself equal to the Indian cultivator.

Death of Mother Superior From Our Rabaul Correspondent The death of Rev. Mother Gerard, Superior of the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Vunapope, 'Kokopo, New Guinea, occurred recently.

She had been superior of the Convent for 30 years and was held in the highest respect and esteem, not only by the sisters, but by the hundreds of children who were in her care. She arrived in the Territory in 1896 and always took a leading part in the work of the Mission. 4 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

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Saving Of Suva

Interesting, Incident of 1914 How “Dam Fool” Governor Scared off Enemy In an article published recently in The Comhill Magazine, Mr. Malcolm Maxwell (formerly private secretary to Sir E. B. Sweet-Escott, K.C.M.G., Governor of Fiji) describes a hitherto unrevealed incident of the war.

THE Australian fleet, so long a reminder to Suva people that the war was a reality and not a delusion, had left Fiji for New Guinea.

The exquisite harbour of Suva resumed its tranquil appearance, its white reef glistening in the sun and inviting, so it would seem, not mighty battleships but vessels of commerce and peaceful trade to enter its passage— that strange natural gateway so common to South Sea coral reefs —while the mountains which, like dark sentinels of time, fringe the harbour shores, seemed to breathe once more of permanence and everlasting peace.

Fof me the absence of the fleet meant a certain respite from telegrams —telegrams to be dealt with at all hours, to be coded, decoded, recoded by day and by night. It was a peculiarity of Fiji that the Governor was also Vice-Admiral of the Pacific waters, and as such all naval communications were addressed in the first instance to him, and on me devolved the task of decoding and recoding many a lengthy telegram from the Admiralty to Admiral Patey, the Commander-in- Chief in fact. For the Suva population it meant a sense of being out of the war, the assumption being that the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, those dread eagles of Von Spee which hovered over the Pacific like a cloud, were at a safe distance and occupied with other prey than us.

True, we still had the Sealark with us and her three-pounder and machine guns, but this protection, even as the trenches and barbed wire which surrounded the Cable Station, now seemed meaningless. The grey line of ships —Patey’s Australia, the Montcalm, flying the tricolor of Admiral Huguet, the Melbourne, the Encounter, and the rest were gone, and with their departure the grim picture which they had made seemed like a dream. Social life went on as before briskly in the capital, and it seemed that we read the official bulletins of war news as onlookers and no longer as actors in the drama which was being played on a stage greater than Europe, its footlights showing up such distant scenes as the Cameroons and Cocos Islands.

A STARTLING MESSAGE.

It was, if I remember rightly, about 4 p.m. when I received and decoded a certain message from Apia, in Samoa.

I took it straight to the Governor’s office. I watched him closely, as I knew that its contents would —well, make him think. He read the decoded message quietly, calmly—no change of expression showed on his face, but I noticed that he looked tired, grey—what he read was roughly this: That at 6 a.m. that morning Von Spee had put into the harbour of Apia with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, that their guns had been trained on the town and the guns’ crews had taken station.

That no shot, however, was fired, the enemy cruisers weighing anchor at 7 a.m. and making for sea, thereafter steaming in a south-westerly direction.

The message was signed by the Administrator and was for the Governor of Fiji’s “information,” as Suva lay in the course of the enemy ships.

The Governor gave his orders immediately.

I was to ring up the wireless with instructions that they were to concentrate on receiving or “picking up” messages and that, if any was picked up in what appeared to be strange lettering, they were to send the message forthwith to Government House, noting, if possible, the .approximate distance of the sender.

It was not long before an ominous message in an unfamiliar code was received, and I was busy at decoding it. The secret naval codes, the Civil codes, private codes between the flagships—Australian, French, Japanese— not one would fit it.

I told the Governor: “This, sir, must be a German message. The wireless people (report' that the sender was, when the message was picked up, about 250 miles away.”

IN A STATE OF DEFENCE.

That night the town was in a state of defence. The Sealark’s men were at action stations, the Fiji Defence Force in the trenches, taxi-drivers did a roaring trade and charged exhorbitant prices to drive the women and children (and less warlike of the men) to the interior and a place of safety beyond the range of German guns.

Suva was again in the war—really in it, it seemed now—but it was not till dawn that the reality would declare itself, for Von Spee would stand off till there was sufficient light to navigate the treacherous shoals and reefs which encircle the Islands.

At 5.30 a.m. the next morning His Excellency and I “stood to.” In the grey light of coming dawn we looked towards the south, where Beqa Island stands sentry and where the first smoke of the mail steamers bringing news from home is seen by many an expectant eye, but this time we were not looking for letters and fresh faces, the telescope was sighted for a different view—grim, cold, devastating.

What would the outline of two cruisers each with four funnels silhouetted against the pink of the dawn signify?

It would mean death and worse than death: within the half-hour a peaceful town with red roofs peeping through the luxuriant green of tropic foliage, with but a handful of armed but harmless men, a crowd of weakling Indians, of laughing innocent Fijians, of refined and cultured Europeans, men of position and ladies of quality, would become a shambles, the pink of the dawn would turn to crimson, the crimson of blood, red blood, and the scarlet of tongues of flame, of devastating fire, ever swelling in volume, fanned and whipped by shrieking shell, the crash of explosives and the rumble of falling masonry. A town of almost voluptuous loveliness transformed into a spectacle of hideous ruin.

We waited anxious—more anxious as the moments passed and the grey light softened. Already the secret ciphers had been buried and their grave carefully concealed. Anxious eyes, too, below round the cable station looked out towards the ocean, eyes of men who must be the first to feel the shock of high explosives, soldiers who must face death without a blow, without resistance.

We waited and the grey gloom changed to pearly white with daubs of pink about the horizon. Thank God, the seas were clear! An hour passed, and then bright daylight—but no enemy was sighted, no German warship showed black against the skyline.

Suva was saved, so it seemed. But little was said. The taxi-drivers restored their fares of the night before to pleasant homes, dances became once more the evening pastime, once more there was calm, not again to be interrupted by an enemy’s presence.

Some months later when Sturdee had cleared the Pacific, and the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, with their gallant Admiral, lay at the bottom of the ocean, a German merchantman was captured, as she tried to round the Horn and slip out of the way of the British Fleet, and in the mail bag was found a letter from a young officer on board the Gneisenau. Only a paraphrase of the letter can be given from memory, but this is roughly what he wrote: “At dawn we put into Apia intending to bombard the town, the flag of Britain now flying over Government House. We manned the guns, we trained them on the little capital— but did not fire.

“No, we thought of German hearts and German homes nestling there along the coral strand. We would strike one blow at England before the inevitable—our end. But we would not mingle our countrymen in the havoc.

Auckland, Wellington, Sydney too dangerous a venture, they were too well protected.

“Suva, yes, Suva! there in her little outpost in the far Pacific Britain should feel the might of Germany, should hear the rumble of our Kaiser’s thunderbolt. Anchor weighed, we turn and steam S.W. towards Suva.

“Right gallantly the two ships hurry on their grim mission, when 10, a message reaches us—it is in English, it is not even in code —Gott in Himmel, to the Admiral Australia! It gives us warning, the Australia is near.

“Damn fool of an English Governor he gives the show away. Yet, we thank him from the bottom of our hearts for his warning. So the British bulldog with gnashing teeth, is waiting for us round the corner—how nearly we have been bitten! Our Admiral, Von Spec, gives a merry laugh and signals his orders. Quickly we turn again and at full speed hasten to the north—towards Honolulu and neutral waters.”

A message had indeed been prepared on that fateful afternoon and broadcast by the Governor’s orders into the winds of the night and over the face of the dark waters for whoever could, to pick up and to use as he thought best. It ran: To Admiral H.M.S. Australia.

Thanks for message. Shall expect you to-morrow at daylight.”

GOVERNOR OF FIJI.

A simple message in plain and simple English, yet not for English but for German ears, for, as His Excellency well knew, Patey with his ships was 2,000 miles away and beyond receiving range!

Von Spee might have laughed differently had he known. As it is, let us hope that he died in happy ignorance of the truth, for happier were the fortunate ones in Suva, saved from a terrible fate by an English Governor’s “damn folly”!

A photo of Suva, the capital of Fiji. 5 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

Parliamentary Representation of Pacific Territories Vol. I —No. 10 MAY, 1931, THE Commonwealth of Australia is responsible for the government of three large and important Pacific territories —namely, the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, Papua and Norfolk Island. Measured by their trade figures, and by their annual budgets, they compare not unfavourably with the smallest Australian State. Federal decisions, and Federal officials, have a far wider application and far wider powers in those Territories than in Tasmania; yet Tasmania has a dozen elected representatives in the Federal Parliament, and the Territories have no representation whatever.

The Northern Territory, for a long time, was in the same position; but, after a lengthy period of agitation, the Northern Territory was given a nonvoting representative in the Commonwealth Parliament. The fact that he is prevented, by constitutional limitations, from recording a vote, does not matter very much; what is important is that he can, and does, place the views of Northern Territory residents before the House when any matter affecting their interests arises.

New Guinea, of course, is in a different category, nominally, from Papua and Norfolk Island. Actually, it is in a very similar position. On all matters affecting the general policy of the Government of each Territory, whether under Mandate or not, it is the will of the Federal Cabinet, expressed through the respective Administrators, which is carried into effect.

Local councils, mostly nominative, assist and advise the Administrators; and, on the whole, the system works very well —particularly in comparison with the chaotic mess which is called “popular government” in some of the Australian States. For the most part, the Administrators discharge their responsible duties very fairly and efficiently—there have been remarkably few protests against their rulings.

But, from time to time, there arise trade and financial problems which affect the whole of the people in a particular Territory; and concerning which the voice of the people as a whole should be heard. We are now approaching such a period. The worldwide readjustment of values is certain to create conditions in all the Territories which will call for review of many important matters and concerning which Government authority certainly will be invoked; and it would be a great advantage to the Islands communities, and make for their peace and contentment, if some direct channel of communication could be established between the people and the Federal Government. We hesitate to suggest any particular method that ought to be a subject of discussion— but we do urge that consideration be given to the general principle, particularly as we are certain that a demand for something of the kind will presently arise.

TROPICALITIES Written for The Pacific Islands Monthly by “Sea Serpent.”

ELSEWHERE in this journal are figures showing the imports and exports of Norfolk Island. NX is part of Australia—a Federal Territory. It is not large but it is highly productive —a rich and beautiful place with a peculiar charm for tourists. Its trade is valuable and, since the Territory is a responsibility of the Commonwealth, that trade should belong to Australia. But Australia is so indifferent about overseas trade that, actually, much of Norfolk Island’s business is going to New Zealand—half the exports and a third of the imports, as a matter of fact. N.Z. gives better prices and better service. Australia has been warned again and again that, through indifference, she is losing her valuable Islands connection. But one might as well hammer on a stone wall.

Nobody cares. *-♦ ♦ * THE importance of wireless to the Islands was emphasised during the recent floods and hurricane in Fiji.

The Fiji manager of Amalgamated Wireless Ltd. (Mr. Farquhar) showed enterprise and ingenuity in providing radio communication with Lautoka, thus permitting the Administration to provide relief measures quickly and efficiently. A.W.A. is now experimenting with a wireless station at Lautoka; and it is such a boon that there is not much doubt that the arrangement wall be made permanent. The effect of radio communication on the growth and development of the Islands trade and industry, during the last decade, has been extraordinary. * * * * CONGRATULATIONS to Rev. J. W.

Burton on the journalistic enterprise displayed in The Missionary Review of May 5. The lengthy graphic and well edited accounts of “The Hurricane and Floods in Fiji,” and the numerous striking photographs of the devastation wrought in the several districts, not only make a striking story of courage and resource, but also provide a valuable record of one of the most severe visitations in the history of the Colony. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ OWING to the unsatisfactory prices for copra and the generally depressed conditions, purchasers of Expropriated plantations in New Guinea were granted a suspension of payments until the end of June next. The matter will then come up for further review'. The Custodian of Expropriated Properties, who has his office in Melourne, is at present examining the situation, but nothing definite has yet been decided on. It can be stated, however, that the Government is anxious to assist the planters to get on their feet again, and that no harsh measures will be adopted.

RETURNING to Auckland from Suva, after having been pilot for nine months for Mr. A. H.

Marlow’s Dornier flying boat, Mr.

W. Man gave the newspapers an interesting interview. He said that Mr. Marlow found the seaplane doubly useful. It not only saved time in visiting his contract work in various parts of the group, but it also bucked up the native workmen tremendously, and they finished jobs much more quickly. “A party working somewhere in the bush was afraid to go slow, because the men never knew when the machine would appear over the treetops,” said Mr. Man. Sounds like “a tale from the far seas” —but it’s an interesting theory, anyway. ♦ * * ♦ THE effects of the Great War are passing slowly. An unnoticed item in the Commonwealth Government Gazette the other day, repealed the German Admissions Ordinance of 1927, so that Germans may now enter the Territory of New Guinea on the same terms as any other foreigner who complies with the immigration laws.

Previously, any German who had been a resident of New Guinea before May 9, when civil administration was restored, could not re-enter the Territory without special permission. • * ♦ » AS there are many thousands of Indian farmers in Fiji; and as Indians usually bury their money in the ground, in preference to banking it; and as the recent hurricane and floods shifted a lot of soil, and altered many landscape contours—it is said that the western districts of Viti Levu, after the storm, saw more frantic treasure hunts to the square mile than was ever before recorded in history. • • * * THE Scullin Government’s tariff schedules are now being debated in the House of Representatives. Not the least important are the timber dulies. They have already been the subject of protests, notably by South Australian and Western Australian members. Representatives of firms which have established plants in the South Sea Islands, and are handling kauri and cedar, have made very strong representations to the Minister with a view to the lowering of duties on these logs. But it is not likely that the Government will agree to any reduction, as it is contended that Queensland is capable of supplying all the kauri and cedar required by Australia. It is considered that 90 per cent, of the Government supporters will vote for the timber schedule as it stands, and any amendments will be only of a minor character. It is only another example of the way in which Australia’s tariff-mad politicians continue (in spite of the tragic and growing evidence of their foolishness) to close the door against oversea trade.

Distracted Samoa

There Is No Spirit Of Compromise Judge Luxford, of the High Court of Western Samoa, on April 22, found O. F.

Nelson & Co. Ltd., guilty of 28 charges under the Seditious Organisations Ordinance, and inflicted a fine of £2OO in each case, or a total of £5,600. Forbearance was shown by the prosecution in withdrawing a second series of charges laid under the Maintenance of Authority in Native Affairs Ordinance. The judge, summing up, strongly condemned the defendant company. The offences committed, it appears, consisted mainly of receiving payments from a native organisation called the Mau. —Newspaper’ Report.

I HAVE no personal knowledge of the condition of affairs in Samoa.

All that I know of the protracted struggle between the New Zealand Administration (which functions under a “C” class mandate) and the Mau, I have learned from ex parte statements.

The position is so difficult and critical, and the absence of unbiassed information so marked that we of The Pacific Islands Monthly have left the whole subject severely alone. At the first opportunity, someone from this journal, as part of our policy of giving service to the Pacific communities, will visit Samoa and try and sum up the situation there truthfully and fairly.

In the meantime, one cannot but be impressed by the fact that apparently every one of the few independent commentators who have visited the Territory has attacked the New Zealand Administration. There seems to be no sign of a more amicable feeling between officialdom and the Mau— no suggestion of a more conciliatory spirit. There has been still another change in the Administration, and another Administrator has gone down there, making the fifth since New Zealand took charge of the group.

Therefore, this fine that has been imposed upon O. F. Nelson, with its suggestion of sheer savagery, gives a most unfortunate impression. No doubt, O. F. Nelson is a very stubborn, pertinacious. difficult man. In the eyes of the Administration, he is the world’s prize nuisance. He represents—indeed, embodies—the fighting spirit of the Mau, and there is no suggestion of compromise about him. Probably, he has been hopelessly embittered by his deportation—which surely was the stupidest thing ever carried out by a bull-necked, swashbuckling, fatheaded administration—and will not permit the dead past to bury its dead.

Between the brutality of the Administration (in imposing a fine of £5,600, when a tenth of the amount would have emphasised the law and established the principle) and the pigheaded obstructiveness of O. F. Nelson and the Mau, there is no sign of compromise. Yet only by conciliation and compromise can this most unhappy state of affairs be ended.

Something must be done soon if not for the sake of bringing peace to beautiful, distracted Samoa, then in order that a British Dominion may be spared, the ultimate humiliation of being deprived of a mandate to govern a subject people. The League of Nations is not particularly notable for its patience.- R. W. Robson.

Samoa’S New Governor

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, April 24.

The new Administrator of Western Samoa, Major General Hart, arrived at Suva on Fridav and rifivad till fi p.m. on Saturday, sailing by the Tofua for Apia. He was accompanied by Mrs.

Hart and their two daughters, Mary and Betty. The party was met by Captarn M. Godley, A.D.C, When seen by your repjresentative, the General said he had nothing to say.

He said it quite nicely, with a smile. aod oxie r co 4 ld valise that the a soldier.” who V travelled with them, said the General was a “real good sort,” and he was quite a favourite on board.

Notable Men of The Pacific Brigadier-General H. E. Hart, D. 5.0., C. 8., C.M.G., C.D.G, Administrator of Western Samoa.

NO one will envy Brigadier-General Hart the job which he has accepted as Administrator of the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa; but everyone who knows him will wish him the best of good luck, and express a sincere wash that he will succeed in restoring tranquility to “the Ireland of the South Seas.”

Because of New Zealand’s outstanding success in the administration of the Cook Islands, the embarrassment and difficulties which the Dominion has experienced in carrying out its mandate in Western Samoa, stand out sharply by comparison. The badgered New Zealand Government has now made four attempts to find an administrator who could persuade the Samoans to become a peaceful and happy people—Col. R. W. Tait, C.M.G., was there from 1920 to 1923; Major-General Sir G. S. Richardson, C. 8., C.M.G., from 1923 to 1928; and Col. S. S. Allen, C.M.G., D. 5.0., from 1928 to 1931.

Little is known about General Hart’s ability as an administrator, but he was a most successful, efficient and popular soldier, and is reported to have a personality and temperament which fit him admirably for his new position.

What is needed in the Samoan administration is not so much an administrative experience or high titles, or decorative orders, as a sympathetic understanding of this very sensitive section of the Polynesian race, combined with unusual firmness and strength of character. There has been plenty of “backbone” in previous administrators, but hardly enough understanding—so that we have had either latitude amounting to (weakness on the one hand, or much talk of “Prussianism” on the other.

Mr. Hart was born in the Wairapa (district of New Zealand, in 1882, and, except when; he has been away on active service, he has spent most of his life in Carterton and Masterton, where he has carried on practice as a barrister and solicitor. He has taken a keen interest in public affairs, but is known mostly for his outstanding services to the volunteer military organisation, with which he has been closely identified for 30 years.

L As a very young man Mr. Hart served for two years (1900-1902) in the South African War. On the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, he joined the Wellington Regiment as major, and saw much service in Egypt, Galipolli and Prance. In 1916, he was appointed to the command of the Ist battalion. Among his fellow officers he was a warm favourite and was regarded by the rank and file with unusual affection and respect. He never spared himself—he was found always at the point of danger—and the comfort and well-being of his men were among his first considerations. He became noted for the skill with which he directed his troops in battle, and the tact with which he controlled them behind the lines. When he was given command of the famous Rifle Brigade it was regarded as an excellent appointment; and the manner in which he handled his Brigade at Le Quesnoy—one of the notable exploits of the war, in which the N.Z. Division achieved its final and most spectacular success—earned him special notice. He became Brigadier-General in May, 1917, and was the first N.Z. territorial officer to attain such a rank. He was mentioned in despatches no less than five times, and the number and quality of his decorations are sufficient indication of what the High Command thought of his services.

In and About the Islands Mr. James Burns, chairman of directors of Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd., will be a passenger to New Guinea by the Macdhui, sailing from Sydney oh May 16. He is doing the round trip.

Mr. Edward Mitty, hon. treasurer of the Melbourne branch, R.5.5.1.L.A., which is the largest branch of the League in the Southern Hemisphere, has been appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Territory of Papua. He is well known to the legal profession and carries on business as a law stationer, etc., at 143 Queen Street, Melbourne.

Rev. G. S. Shinkfield, who is chairman of the Samoan District of the Methodist Missionary Society, has returned to Samoa after furlough.

Miss D. Coltheart leaves Sydney by the Macdhui on May 16 and will again take up her work among the Chinese at Rabaul. Miss Coltheart has been spending holidays in Tasmania.

Rev. L. M. Thompson arrived in Sydney, from Fiji, by the Sierra, on April 30, and has now proceeded to Victoria. Since 1916 Mr. Thompson has been specially interested in educational work among the Indians of Fiji.

Dr. and Mrs. E. G. Sayers and their two children are due to leave Sydney by the Mataram, for the Solomon Islands, on June 7. They are returning to the Missionary Hospital at Roviana.

Dr. D. S. Davidson, anthropologist of the University of Pennsylvania, left Sydney by the Sierra on May 9, for Suva. Dr. Davidson had been doing research work in Australia on behalf of his university.

Mr. R. T. Rutledge, of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., sailed by the last trip of the Sierra for Fiji.

Father Trillot, who has been with the Roman Catholic Mission in Fiji for 37 years, was burned to death at Nanukuola early this month. Natives saw the Presbytery afire, and on entering t* l6 .building discovered Father in a pool of flaming oil with an overturned lamp alongside Mr F. Largeau, general manager of Societe Francaise, New Hebrides, arrived in Sydney by the Ormonde on May 6, after spending a holiday in France.

Photograph shows Brig.-General Hart, with his wife and two daughters, in April, just before they sailed for Samoa. 6 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931 Pacific Islands Monthly Published once a month, and circulated among residents of: New Guinea Fiji Solomon Is.

Papua Tonga New Hebrides Norfolk Is. Samoa New Caledonia Cook Is. Nauru Ocean Is.

Gilbert Is. Tahiti Thursday Is.

Read also by residents of Australia and New Zealand who are interested in Pacific Islands trade and activities.

Publishers: Pacific Publications, Union House, 247 George Street, Sydney. Tel.: BW 5037.

Editor: R. W. Robson.

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IMPORTS.

Prom From Month.

Australia New Zealand March, 1930 . . .. £4,105 10 0 £3,424 15 0 March, 1931 . . .. 2,594 5 0 1,229 15 0 EXPORTS.

To To Month.

Australia New Zealand March, 1930 . . .. £1,656 0 0 £1,172 10 0 March, 1931 . . .. 1,219 0 0 1,316 15 0

Tax Burdens On

GOLDFIELDS Killing the Goose that Lays Golden Eggs (To the Editor.) Sir, — Mr. Freeman did not go far enough when he wrote under the above heading.

What about the man who finds the gold? The prospector has now to pay into the Administration two years’ wages, for each boy, before he can sign him on, plus his fare home. With issue and signing-on fees this amounts to about £lB per boy, and as he requires ten boys, he has to have £lBO to pay into the Administration before he can go out to look for gold, or work it—if he knows where it is.

Until recently he had to pay £2O per boy to the recruiter, but they are now a lot cheaper. But that is useless to him, if he has to find another £lBO, to remain idle for two years, when it could be put to a lot better purpose.

It would keep him in the bush a good many months, looking for gold, as it did the men who found Edie Creek and the Bulolo.

There are a large number of men on the field now, who are out of work.

Many know where there is payable gold, and there are others who are willing to go out and look for it; but, owing to the action of the Administration, they are unable to work, though willing to do so. This seems a bit strange, when we understand that Australia is doing its best to find work for the unemployed, and we are administered from Australia.

Let the Commonwealth pass a Bill that every employer has to pay his employee two years’ wages in advance, and see if the Government will last 24 hours in power.

The reason given for this action is that so many men are going south, without paying their boys off. But Administration and Expro. Board officials were the chief offenders. Now, it is men employed in Rabaul who forget to pay their houseboys, but not the miners.

The miner is a speculator, gambler and a sport. He works with his boys and looks after their interests more than the white-collar-and-black-tie man of Rabaul.

If it were not for the gold there would be no Rabaul now, owing to the bottom having dropped out of copra.

It was the miner who found the gold; it is the miner who goes into the bush and brings the wild native into a state of semi-civilisation—not the Administration; the miner who stands all the hardships and opens up the country, and finds the gold for Australia to pay the interest on the money it owes.

I am, etc..

A. LE BRETON MOUNT.

Wau, Salamoa. New Guinea.

March 20, 1931.

Native Debtors

Vicious System in Tonga Amendment of the Law Desirable From Our Own Correspondent.

NUKUALOFA, April 25.

LEADING business men have lately expressed disapproval of the existing Debt Law, and the facilities granted by the Government for the introduction of “mushroom” trading stations throughout the group.

In perusing statistics, it is certainly interesting to note that the number of trading stations and bakeries operating in the Kingdom has nearly trebled in 15 years. As there has been no perceptible increase in population during that period, and even allowing for the country’s increased prosperity, it aopears that the number of stations to-day is excessive.

A surplus of small stores in the villages is a constant and indefensible inducement for the native to plunge into debt. He never thinks of to-morrow — “sufficient unto the day” is his motto— with the result that he runs up a score with all the little shops in his town.

The time comes when the traders require payment, and the native finds he cannot satisfy their demands. The trader who gets in early promptly sues him and follows the summons up quickly with a distress warrant. The debtor comes home one day and discovers his goods and chattels sold up, and his wife and family gone back to mother.

He sets about getting a home together again, only to discover that trader number two. awaiting his opportunity, has pounced on him with another distress warrant. Again he is sold up, and so the regrettable process goes on, from year to year, until, probably, some six or eight small traders have received satisfaction.

The remedv? Amend the debt law at once, so that a native must pay in spot cash (or produce) for his goods.

Then we can be assured that the number of “mushroom” stores, which at present flagrantly batten on the natives. will dron by half at least, and Dummy will have a home for his wife and family that he can call his own.

The complaints of the well-established concerns are justified, and members of the Tongan Parliament would do well to nonder this for the future wellbeing of their countrymen and countrywomen.

“Pitcairner” Dead

Link with Bounty History

Norfolk Is. Mourns

From Our Norfolk Is. Correspondent NORFOLK IS., May 4.

SLOWLY are those few stalwarts, who provide the direct link between histone Pitcairn Is. the original £ on l e ,. of the Bounty mutineers—and Norfolk Island, passing away Mr, Seymour Buffett, of Steel’s Point, one of the six remaining Pitcairners. died on May 1, aged 83 years, and thus another well known figure has been removed from our midst.

Mr. Buffett was only eight years ol age when his section of the Bounty crew’s descendants were transferred from Pitcairn to Norfolk, three-quarters of a century ago. He was a des- Cendant of John Buffett, who, with John Evans, joined the Pitcairn community in 1818 from the visiting ship Sinus.

He was a charming, handsome, courtly old man, with a wonderful store of reminiscences and tales of the old days.

His funeral, in the quaint old cemetery on Norfolk Island, was largely attended, and all the old hymns and spirituals were sung.

Cook Is Arranges

New Season Commences From Our Own Correspondent RAROTONGA, April 28.

ACTIVITY is again showing itself in several directions concerning the orange season. The first nicking discloses a good crop—possibly not so heavy as last year—with fruit inclined to medium grade.

The Acting Director of Agriculture Mr. Bouchier, has returned from an extended trip to South Africa and Australia. His propositions for improved cultivation and thoroughly careful packing methods have been placed before those concerned.

The native here is inclined to maintain that he did better when he was free to dump his oranges holus-bolus into cases than he does now under the ideas propounded by the Agricultural Authorities. He knows nothing of course, of what he is up against with the foreign grower on his market delivering 100 per cent, perfectly sound fruit, uniform in grade, quality and appearance. native grower works harder than he is given credit for and, ail things considered, does his best to meet the refined tastes of the consumer or the distributor, or whoever is the mysterious individual commanding the size, quality and colour to which oranges are to be grown.

Appeals for Economy Position in Tonga From Our Own Correspondent NUKUALOFA, April 26.

WE learn that the Tongan Chamber of Commerce has again sent a Memorandum to the Tongan Government, urging the Executive to drastically retrench in all departments of the service.

On the other hand, it is whispered that a movement is on foot in Government circles to petition the Chamber of Commerce and urge the curtailment of certain imports which are said to be in the nature of luxuries and which the native would be happier without during a time of stress.

The list is said to contain such items as silk stockings, gramophones, motor cars, powder puffs, silks, satins, cashmeres, lipsticks and those hundred and one ephemeral nick-nacks so dear to the native feminine heart, once she has been taught that the use of them uplifts her to a sphere where she might even become persona grata with her European sisters.

It is extremely problematical, though, whether the Chamber’s memorandum or the proposed appeal to the Chamber will alter matters worth a row of pins. We know that dummy will still continue to pay, in much the same old way.

New Shipping Line?

Australia to East Possible Extension of Trade THURSDAY IS., May 4.

DIRECT rail communication between Canton and Paris will be shortly opened, if the disturbed state of affairs in China will permit of the running of trains.

This seems likely to open up new opportunities for trade in Australian goods, especially in the southern part of China, and an increase in the export of perishable goods, such as fruit, butter, meat, etc., is expected to occur. As it is, all the cargo between Australia and the Far East seems to be one way only, and that the right way for Australia.

It may be on this account that rumours of a new shipping line have reached Thursday Island. The route will be the usual one between Hongkong and Australian ports, Thursday Island being a port of call, unless the E. and A. Line returns to its old run when the new line will be deviated to Rabaul. It is said that an emissary of the new line has already proceeded to a Mediterranean port for the purpose of inspecting two vessels that the company has under offer.

Although' this news is unconfirmed, it seems within the range of possibility.

Canoe Racing Commences at Port Moresby (From Our Port Moresby Correspondent) CANOE racing is one of the chief sports of the younger men in Port Moresby, and the season is now about to open.

The harbour, while extremely beautiful, with hills sloping gradually to the waters’ edge, has the advantage of being almost completely land-locked i white men supply the sails and rigging, which become the property of the natives at the end of the season.

A silver cup was presented to the club by Lord Forster on his visit to Potr Moresby, in 1925, and there are other trophies, all hotly competed for.

It is a beautiful sight to watch the and is additionally protected by a coral reef lying approximately three miles from the mainland.

The racing season begins early in May each year and continues until Se ptem b e r, when the southeast trade winds begin to die down. Native canoes and crews are used, with native - made European sails, one or more white men taking charge to captain and control the crew.

As many as fifteen canoes have been known to start, under varying handicaps, and there is a great deal of excitement and betting among both Europeans and natives. The course varies from time to time, around harbour buoys and local islands, and it is amazing to watch the skill of the natives when swinging round in the sudden gusts which sweep through gaps in the hills at various points on the course.

Formerly, the canoes and sails were owned by small syndicates and the expenses of the outfit and crew were pooled at the end of the year. This was found to be too unsatisfactory and expensive, for the Papuan, like most natives, is an inveterate swindler, and exploited the white man for untold extras until, in desperation, he rebelled.

The canoes are now native-owned and the native captain and crew are paid a fixed sum per race for services and for the use of the canoe. The races from the hill-side, on a brilliant south-east day—to see the spray dashing over the canoes as they swing and swirl through the vivid blue waters inside the reef, and to follow with wonder the dexterity of the natives as they handle their outfits, amid much noise, excitement and loud hilarity.

Norfolk Island Trade

From Our Own Correspondent The following figures are provided by courtesy of Captain Stopp (Collector of Customs): Seaplanes for the Pacific Islands Fiji’s Ideal Conditions Wide Use of Planes When Depression Lifts INTERESTING facts concerning the development of aviation in Fiji were given to The New Zealand Herald by Mr. W. Man, who recently returned to Auckland after nine months’ flying in Fiji. During that period, Mr. Man was pilot of the three-seater Domier flyingboat belonging to Mr. A. H. Marlow, the well-known Suva building contractor.

Mr. Man said that conditions in the Group were almost ideal for machines of a suitable type. Landlocked waters abounded on every coast and many of them contained beaches of good hard sand upon which a flying boat or seaplane could be hauled up.

He did not find that the hurricanes were a drawback to aviation, as there was always fairly good warning of their approach. A larger wfiite population would stimulate aviation in the Pacific; but he was convinced that when the present depression lifted and trade developed, flying boats and seaplanes would be widely used by the present population.

The Fiji Government was very anxious to develop aviation, but any plans it had were shelved for the present owing to lack of money. For the same economic reason Mr. Marlow had dismantled and stored the flyingboat until times improved.

Mr. Man spoke highly of the flying done under difficulties by Mr. Chalmers, a Suva solicitor, who imported a Moth aeroplane some time ago, but later shipped it to Auckland and disposed of it.

There were too few landing grounds in Fiji for land machines to be of much use, he said, and in any case most of the towns and settlements were on or near the sea.

Whale Oil Glut Norwegians Alarmed Unilever to Operate in Antarctic A CABLE from Oslo, published in The Sydney Sun on May 9, stated that consternation had been caused in whaling circles in Norway by the report that the Unilever Soap Syndicate would send out its own whaling thHcfnnnA the Antarctic to procure 5 0,000 tons of oil needed in 1932. v P r ® s Ment of the Norwegian Whaling Association has stated that nnl, a ?n n noo nC + ement that Unilev er needs only SO 00° tons meant that the whole Norwegian fleet will be idle next r s a ZA^ present unsoid sur P ius Abolition of Cook Is. Dept.

Native Affairs Department May Control N. Z. Government Economy From Our Cook Islands Correspondent L RAROTONGA, April 28.

ISTENERS on the air recently report an announcement by 2YA ( Wellington) of the New Zealand Government’s intention, embodied in a Bill before the House, no longer to retain the Cook Islands Administration as a separate department, but to hand the work over to the Department of Native Affairs.

So much to the good if something can be saved on “overhead,” but it is hoped that a policy of cheese-paring will not follow, to the detriment of the native people of the group.

Visitors coming down from the States on the mail steamers en route to the Dominion and Australia, get their first view of the New Zealand ensign at Rarotonga. The native people here are distinctly on the up-grade, but, if their means of education and medical attention are cut into too much, they will certainly go back and the flag will not fly so proudly over the group as it does to-day.

Private advice received during the month indicates that several prominent officials of the Cook Islands Administration are being retrenched.

The Resident Agent at Aitutaki, Mr. E. C. Villenoweth, whose appointment expired on April 9, has not been reappointed, but will be replaced by Mr. Luckham, lately Resident Commissioner at Nuie. This represents a substantial fall in salary for Mr. Luckham.

The Cook Islands

Ancient Customs Revived at Native Crowning Ceremony From Our Own Correspondent.

RAROTONGA, April 27.

THE installation of Vaikai Kainuku as chief of the Ngantangiia village took place recently.

Ngantangiia is credited wjth the distinction of being the actual spot from which the canoes departed from Rarotonga, which resulted in the landing of the handful of Polynesian people in New Zealand, to establish the great Maori race.

A large number of Europeans were invited to be present at the crowning.

In honour of the occasion the Commissioner, at 10 o’clock, called it “a day” for all Government offices.

The proceedings were marked with the etiquette of the native people and the courtesy for which the Polynesians are noted.

The chief’s attendants, dressed in their ancient native costumes, struck a note of old tribal times. The chief himself threw aside his European garments and appeared in a ceremonial robe fashioned in native style. The garment—of a somewhat Magyar cut —was made from the bark of the bread-fruit tree beaten out to the thickness of brown paper, and notched at the edges and ornamented with small square holes neatly snipped out in a manner resembling somewhat cross-word puzzle designs. A spangle of small yellow beads thrown across his shoulders and chest and with his ornamental spear grasped in his right hand, the chief came forward to the sacred ground to be crowned with the simple garland of leaves, the lawful assurance of his title.

Thanks were expressed by the Resident Commissioner for the privilege given to Europeans to be present at the function. Reference was made to the long title (700 years) and to the assurance given that the privileges attached to the rank would be fully recognised by the New Zealand Government.

Speed Boating

An item of some interest locally was the appearance in the lagoon of a motor speed-boat. With the idea of fulfilling a desire to circumnavigate the island at high speed, Mr. J. McFarlane, of Ohio, Cincinatti, transported his speed-boat to Rarotonga in a broken-down state. Due to the absorption of moisture, the parts could not be screwed together until complete shrinkage to their original state had taken place. After one or two trial spins the owner opened out the engine headed for the open sea, and circled the island—a distance of perhaps 30 miles. The stunt was not without risk—a breakdown in the works and the craft would have been hurled on the reef. Mr. McFarlane is the first person to tackle such a proposition here.

Postal Charges

Disappointment is felt here at the severity of the new postal charges, which were introduced on Ist March.

The restriction on the weight of parcels to 11 lb., combined with the increased rate for postage, is a complete knock-out to the posting of fruit from the island in cases as hitherto.

It is understood that steps have been taken by the local administration to see what can be done to improve matters.

Prominent Government

Official Retires

The services of a valuable officer of the administration have been lost by the retirement on superannuation of Mr. Reid, Director of Agriculture and the Chief Public Works Officer of the Group. Solid pioneering work has been done by Mr. Reid during his 20 years’ service here. Apart from his practical work on water supply, roadipj?’ fruit grading and packing, etc., Mr. Reid has handed out to the planters, both European and Native, handy pieces of knowledge on matters pertaining to local agriculture. In the matter of proper grading and packing of fruit for export, it is a terrific job to implant into the native mind the importance to him in the long run o f these measures: but Mr. Reid, backed by the administration, has made great headway here in the direction of the successful marketing of perishable exports from the island.

A Canoe Race at Port Moresby.

The type of Moth in use in Fiji. 7 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

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Australian Distributors: FERRIER & DICKINSON LTD. 26 CLARENCE STREET - - SYDNEY - - N.S.W. - - AGENTS New Equipment for Loading Phosphate at Nauru WHILE the deposits are the richest in the world and are readily accessible, there has been always difficulty in loading the excavated material on to overseas vessels, owing to the fact that there is no harbour or natural anchorage at either Nauru or Ocean Island.

When the deposits were first worked the phosphate was loaded into boats at short timber jetties, just overhanging the edge of the encircling reefs, and the boats were rowed out to the steamers and discharged. This method of transport and loading was naturally slow and laborious.

An improvement was later introduced with the construction of large cantilever jetties, extending from the beach and overhanging the deep water at the reef’s edge. Conveyor belts running in galleries on these jetties transported the phosphate to the end of the cantilever portion, where it was discharged into lighters, which were towed out by launches to unload into the steamers.

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News and Notes from Tonga Absurdities of the Liquor Act —Toucans’ Hunger for News —Breaking of Drought From Our Own Correspondent NUKUALOFA, April 28.

DIRECTED, as it is, to the Europeans resident in Tonga, and being diametrically opposed to all the principles of British justice, Section 76 of the Liquor Act in the statute book is probably the most iniquitous clause in the whole of the country’s laws.

It reads, inter alia: “If it appears to an inspector of police that the quantity of liquor purchased by any person (European) is excessive, having regard to such person’s reasonable needs, he shall report the matter to Cabinet and the Cabinet may place such restrictions as it thinks fit upon the person referred to.” The inspector can also demand from any licensed merchant in Tonga his books, so that he can check up all liquor purchases by Europeans.

It appears that this section has been in the statute book since 1922.

That it got there without protest from the then British Consul is astounding, but very recently it has been brought surprisingly to the notice • of the man in the street that the whole wording of the clause can lend itself to abuse. (That it also offers opportunity for “graft” is painfully obvious).

First of all, the question naturally arises: What constitutes a man’s “reasonable needs”?

Does “reasonable needs” depend upon what the native police judge the average European body can absorb without doing harm? Or do the police consider that a man’s capacity for holding liquor can be determined by his income?

What we do know is that the police court records can give us no assistance. In fact, the only prosecution for drunkenness in Tonga, for five years, as far as we can gather, related to a visiting sailor (with a weak stomach and without income) who was found asleep under a coconut tree.

If “reasonable needs” is based on income, we say that no Government is justified in restricting any law-abiding citizen until that citizen has had an opportunity of showing the Government what his income is. What does a native policeman or any other kind of a policeman know of a man’s private resources? And, after all, why should the policeman worry, if the citizen has broken no law?

Again, if “reasonable needs” is based on bodily requirements then we arrive at a psychological problem. We know a man who, for 40 years, has been known as a “bottle a day man,” and another who gets a pain in the head if he takes more than one “nip.” Both gentlemen are ten years beyond the allotted span and both are in astonishingly good health. I venture to say that here is a problem beyond any kind of a policeman.

What has brought this astounding clause to the notice of the European public is a recent intimation by the Government that a business man (without any semblance of a trial and without any given reason) has been restricted by the Cabinet. The gentleman in question, in remonstrating against this decision, pointed out that he has never been drunk in his life and has never been before the court on any charge of infringing the Liquor Act.

British residents are naturally curious, now, to see the outcome of a proposed appeal to the British Consul, when he returns to Tonga. If no relief can be had in that direction, then it behoves each European on the beach to see to it quickly that he keeps “well in” with our stalwart bodv of native police.

Wireless Press News

The meagre, and hopelessly uninteresting, official Press News which comes through the ether to Tonga, and which, in the past, has been accepted in the nature of a joke, has how, apparently, stirred inhabitants up to a stage of resentment.

It is said that while local amateurs with their sets were receiving and disseminating momentous news about the New Zealand earthquake, and the proposed partition of New South Wales, the official Press, through the Government wireless station, went into ecstasies over such things as a threelegged calf in California and Pharlap’s chance in the next race.

The official Press is translated into the Tongan language for the benefit of the Tongan people, with the knowledge that, in reviewing an account of events from day to day, the Tongan will, in absorbing this news, gain a comprehensive idea of those world affairs which will tend to broaden his mind and outlook.

Naturally enough, the Tongan, being always curious about Australian and New Zealand happenings, cannot understand whv important information seems to be withheld from him. An enquiry elicited the fact that, although the news of the ’quake was immediately known at the wireless station, some convention with Marconi or Amalgamated Wireless made it impossible to distribute the news until it had gone through certain other oversea stations, thus entailing a delay of some twelve to sixteen hours. One can readily perceive our distress if news of an approaching cyclonic storm were withheld until the terms of some convention were complied with.

In any case, the Tongan seems to now view the wireless station with some distrust. He persists in the notion that, as the taxpayers contribute some £2,000 per annum for “wireless,” he should get better service in the way of world-wide news. He knows that an extra receiving set was installed two years ago, at a cost of some £2OO, for the specific purpose of getting in daily touch with the Rugby station. After the installation Rugby hews came through splendidly for a couple of weeks and then abruptly ceased. The reason seems shrouded in mystery. It is said that some “dead nocket” suddenly developed somewhere in the ether between Rugby and Tonga. Still, the Tongan is hard to convince, and he now argues that, if this atmospheric disaster is permanent the station does not require a staff of fpur operators.

As the sum total of “Press” averages about 10 lines daily, and the telegrams (in and out) probably a round dozen per diem, there seems, without conclusive evidence to the contrary, no reason why the wireless denartment should not suffer some retrenchment.

GOOD CROP PROSPECTS.

The dry spell which unaccountably heralded the new year and subsequently began to cause uneasiness to planters, broke down completely on the third day of March. The rainfall for this month, to the great joy of all, has now risen to twenty inches.

The fruit trees (particularly bananas) have taken a fresh lease of life, and prospects are rosy indeed for excellent crops at the end of the current year.

An Unwanted Sailor

The s.s. Lake Galewood arrived from overseas on March 22, with a cargo of lumber and oils for Messrs. Burns, Philp Co. Ltd.

Her departure from Nukualofa was delayed 24 hours, owing to one of the crew making a break for the bush. The native police eventually dug him out and led him, protesting, to the local lock-up.

In the end, as nobody seemed to want him in Tonga, he was handed back to the ship’s master and the vessel proceeded to our northern ports, en route for Suva.

The British Phosphate Commission, which is working the phosphate deposits on Nauru and Ocean Islands, has recently completed the construction of a new loading plant at Nauru. The total cost of the undertaking was about £200,000. The accompanying photograph gives a very good idea of the installation.

Block by courtesy The Commonwealth Engineer. 8 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

IMPORTS EXPORTS TOTAL 1924 .. .. £232,600 £306.658 £539,258 1925 .. .. 258,322 290,115 548,437 1926 . . . . 227.882 263,198 491,080 1927 . . . . 157,783 235,391 393,174 1928 .. .. 211.907 287,668 499,575 1929 •. .. 198,078 259.090 457,168 1930 .. .. 148,306 183,204 331,510 TONS VALUE 1924 .. .. £297,487 1925 . . . . 280.386 1926 . . . , 255,156 1927 . . .. 225.044 1928 . . . . 282,083 1929 . . . . 252,911 1930 . . . . . . . . 14,134 169,610 YEAR AMOUNT 1924-5 . . . . .. .. £67,665 1925-6 . . . . .. .. 71,938 1926-7 . . . . 1927-8 . . . . 1928-9 . . . . .. . . 81.382 1929-30 . . . . .. .. 81,951 1930-31 . . . . . . . . 84,555 INWARD NUMBER OF VESSELS TONNAGE 1924 . . . . . . . . 32 . . . . 87,250 1925 .. .. . 77,704 1926 .. . . . 81,424 1927 ,. . . . . . . 29 .. . . 62.605 1928 .. . . . 79,158 1929 .. ,. . . . . 37 .. . . 83,039 1930 .. ,. . 83,245 OUTWARD 1924 .. .. . 83.762 1925 .. .. . . .. 37 . . . 74.067 1926 .. .. 81.271 1927 .. .. 58,252 1928 . . . . . . .. 32 . . . 79.092 1929 .. .. 81,243 1930 ., ,. . 79,778 BLACKLOCKS R. E. FORSSBERC - Proprietor Manufacturer's Representative 381 PITT STREET - SYDNEY Buying Agents for all requirements, at lowest prices, on commission basis.

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From Our Own Correspondent NORFOLK IS., May 2.

I SUPPOSE countless readers of The P.I.M. “listen-in” all over the Pacific. What a boon a radio set is on plantations, trading stations and lone islets set in empty seas!

This writer lived for years on a coconut plantation 9 degrees south of the Equator, where the only sounds that broke the silence outside the domestic radius were the rush of wind through the tall palms, the roar of surf on the distant reef and the far singing of some solitary native boy, who quavered endlessly on three or four notes, reciting his personal griefs and joys and, probably, his opinion of the “taubada,” who held him to distasteful labour.

At night, the thumping of drums was added, and the concerted howling of a hundred natives.

What a joy a wireless would have been! To turn a dial and to have the whole world come flooding in. Voices . . . music . . . laughter . . . song. The applause of living audiences —even the shuffle of their feet. The hoot of motors along some city street and the chiming of city clocks!

I would like to tell the broadcasting companies that it isn’t the highbrow stuff we want, to comfort us, out here in the Pacific—we have had that for decades past, imprisoned on gramophone records. It is the common, human, everyday touch—simple things to reassure us that we are still one'with a familiar world—not removed to some strange planet, or sole survivors upon this one.

Tonga’S Trade

Effects of the 1930 Slump A review of the trade conditions of Tonga for the year 1930 is contained in the annual report of the President of the Tonga Chamber of Com- ££• Young). We are indebted for a copy to the secretary (Mr L. Davidson).

The report says that a request was made to the Government of Tonga with the object of amending the law in regard to native debts, but the Government met the matter only partially.

TRADE FIGURES.

Both imports and exports again show a marked decline. Figures for the past seven years have been: The total exports of copra for the year 1930 amounted to 14,134 tons, valued at £169,6!° f.0.b., being 2,726 tons and £83,301 in value less than the previous year, and accounting for the further restriction of trade, until it may be described as practically stagnant.

Copra exports for the past seven years have been.

This represents a fall in value over the period of 43 per cent. Prospects for the 1931 crop are bad, owing to a prolonged drought.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.

The figures of Government expenditure. as shown in the Estimates passed by the Legislative Assembly for the past seven years, are as follows: This is an increase over the period of 25 per cent.

These figures should be compared with the value of copra exported, from which it will be seen that, as the income of the Kingdom contracts, the expenditure by the Government of Tonga expands.

To relieve the present penurious condition of the Tongans, and to give some stimulation to trade, it is apparent that, either (1) the national income (i.e., the wealth produced) must be materially increased or (2) the Government expenditure must be materially reduced. The cultivation of the banana for export is in a merely embryonic stage, and even in the event of sufficient quantities being produced to bring in any appreciable profit, the question of a market remains speculative and problematical.

SHIPPING.

The following are the figures for the past seven years:

Notes From Fiji

Governor’s Interest in Agriculture From Our Own Correspondent.

SUVA, May 2.

THE subject of agricultural education is receiving consideration at the hands of His Excellency. During a recent visit to the Methodist Native school, at Toorak, the Governor inspected the plantations of the scholars and showed much interest in the problem of how best to protect the land (which is on sharp slopes, like most of the land around Suva) from being eroded by the heavy rains.

His Excellency said he liked the method used in Ceylon of making terraces, which sloped inwards, and so retained soil and water, which thus reached the roots. He also questioned the lads about the varieties of maize, and referred to the small round maize so much in evidence in China, where he lived so long.

The Government is urging agriculture as an item in school curriculums, and already the missions are giving sound instruction in several schools.

The Government maintains experiment farms in several parts of the Colony.

WHERE EAST AND WEST MEET.

Some little time ago a European institution, called the St. Andrews Young Peoples’ Guild, asked for a site, for two tennis courts, on Victoria Park.

The Council granted the request and two fine courts are now in use. Then shortly after, the municipal authorities were asked to grant a site for a court for the Chinese community. This was granted. This week a further request came from the Oriental Association, asking for a site for another court.

This was also granted. The Park soon will present an interesting spectacle of East and West meeting upon one common ground—the sports ground.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.

This church’s mission work is developing in the Colony. This year the mission is itself spending, in addition to native contributions, £6,000. It has just announced that it is building a new school at Vatu Vonu, in Butha Bay. where it has bought a plantation of 350 acres, with 70 acres of coconut bearing land. The new school will have a school house, 50 feet by 25 feet, two large bures, each 50 feet by 25 feet, one for boys and one for girls.

There will be a head teacher’s house and three houses for three assistants.

The school is to cost £2.000. Mr.

Harry. Steed will be the first master.

PERSONAL.

His Lordship the Bishop of Polynesia has gone on a month’s visit to Tonga, to be followed by another month in Western Samoa. Mrs. Kempthorne accompanied him. The Bishop recently visited Levuka, where he instituted the Rev. C. W. Wonbon-Aston as Vicar of Levuka; while at Lambasa he opened the fine new Indian school for boys. The Anglican Church is conducting a very live mission among the Indian community at Lambasa.

Mr. R. C. Earquhar, manager in Fiji for Amalgamated Wireless (Aust.) Ltd., has left, via Sydney, for a nine months’ holiday in the Old Country.

It is twelve years since Mr. Farquhar had leave. Recently he showed much initiative in installing a temporary wireless plant at Lautoka, just after the hurricane and floods, when news from the west coast was urgently wanted at the seat of Government here. He has received congratulations from the managing director (Mr. E. T.

Fisk) on his success. An arrangement has been made between the company and the Fiji Government, whereby a station will be maintained at Lautoka, on trial for three months, and if successful, the station will be made a permanent one.

Mr. Bert Noerr left by the Niagara on a visit to Sydney, where his mother is in an unsatisfactory state of health.

Mr. Carroll, who has been relieving Mr. M. Brodie, as manager of the local business of the Pacific Biscuit Co. and Union Soaps Ltd., left here by R.M.S.

Niagara on his return to Sydney. During his stay here he made many friends.

Dr. C. R. B. Thompson. Medical Officer of Health, left Fuji by the Niagara for England on vacation. During his stay here Dr. Thompson has proved a most energetic official and has done really splendid work in cleaning up Suva, both rural aud urban.

He has also tackled the mosquito pest, with considerable success, despite lack of public support. During his absence his duties will be carried on by Dr.

M, L. McCauley.

Rev. James Jackson, late minister of St. Andrew’s Church, who took up dairying a year or two ago. has gone to Auckland for an operation on one eye. His many friends hope to see him return before long, quite recovered.

Among those specially commended by the District Commissioner at Rewa for their work during the recent floods were: Rev. T. N: Deller, C. Sachs, Capt.

Ramsewak, F. V. Dunstant, B. Meek (of the Methodist Mission), J. Garnett (one of the heaviest losers of stock by the flood), S. Kendrick (Sanitary Inspector). Engineer Moses, Doneto (buli of Nuku), Luke Raiwalui (buli of Nakelo). Sakinasa N. M. P. Battan Singh Banwari, Levani, Rambissessar. and Ramjam. all of whom worked splendidly. There were many others not mentioned, but who all deserved praise.

H.M.S. Diomede For Island

CRUISE H.M.S. Diomede is to leave Auckland in the middle of next month, on an Islands cruise. Among the groups to be visited by the warship are Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands and Samoa. 9 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

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Experienced Man Available A N official who has been in the service of a Pacific Islands Administration for over six years as Resident Agent, with a first-class record, is being retired on June 30, for reasons of economy.

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NOBE News from Norfolk Island Record Shipment of Bananas—lrritating Postal Regulation From Our Own Correspondent.

NORFOLK IS., May 2.

ON April 24 we sent away, per S.S.

Hikurangi, our record shipment of bananas to date, 2,800 cases consigned to Auckland and already sold at a stated price per case for three grades.

A week previously we shipped 1,540 cases to Sydney, gambling, as we always must do where Australia is concerned, on the condition of the market. Prices were splendid while we were packing and while the old Makambo plodded homeward; but they fell with a thud just about the time she berthed and, as only too frequently happens, we realised just about enough to cover the actual cost of freight and labour.

We shall be fortunate if a scheme, now under consideration in New Zealand, materialises and we are once more assured of a regular service and an alternative market to Sydney. We should still be glad if Messrs. Burns, Philp would run a tourist service between Sydney and Auckland, via Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, but, as regards freight and mail, we should be better satisfied to have a small steamer plying direct.

SUCCESSFUL RACE MEETING.

A week or so ago we held a race meeting—intended to take place on Easter Monday, but postponed on account of the long-delayed rains, which decided to set in on that day and lasted until the island was nearly washed away and we were sick of the sight of heavy grey skies and the sound of rushing torrents.

The meeting was held in “Nobbs’

Paddock,” and everyone went and nobody won anything, but everybody had a good time. The sea shone blue and silver beyond the cliffs, the sun was bright above us and the air was soft and warm.

One or two confidential bookies laid the odds among their friends, but, officially, all betting was transacted with the tote, a small and amateur enclosure where one executive wrote upon a school blackboard the names of the same half-dozen horses for every variety of event, and two others, seated at a kitchen table, issued quaint tickets in exchange for silver coin.

For we are an impoverished and unsophisticated community, and we bet in shillings and half-crowns.

The most exciting race was the Ladies’ Bracelet, ridden exclusively by women who, here, ride marvellously, and the most sporting race of the day, was won by Mr. “Tot” Chapman, ex-cable operator and present secretary of the Planters and Growers’ Association. He arrived upon the field simply as owner of Lucky Star, which was to have been ridden by his nephew, young Vincent Stevenson, not quite 16, and son of our popular and well known Registrar of Lands, and anything else that one registers upon this island. But Vincent, riding and winning an earlier race, crashed into a tree and fractured his elbow, so Mr.

Chapman, two stone over weight and utterly unprepared, pulled on the blue and white jacket and cap and rode his entry to a magnificent finish.

Whether we had backed him or not we cheered and clapped his victory.

An evening entertainment, classified as a “cabaret,” held in the public hall and carried well into the joyous hours of next morning, concluded a most popular innovation.

Registration Of Outward

PARCELS PROHIBITED.

We suffer many disabilities in the transaction of business overseas, being severely rationed in the matter of steamers and, also, on every alternate visit of the Makambo, having to post our return mail within an hour of the receipt of letters.

Recently, an additional handicap has been imposed. From the dusty archives of the General Post Office in Sydney— I suppose it is the Sydney office —has been resurrected an aged ordinance prohibiting the outward registration of parcels from Norfolk Island, and the terms of this ordinance have been transmitted to the office here with instructions to enforce them.

It is obviously an imbecile and onesided regulation, because, by every mail we receive registered parcels in quantities that may be described in the words of a lady I know here as “by the galores,” and the measures that are taken to deliver them safely might be presumed to carry outwardbound parcels with equal care; also, we are still permitted to register letters. The registration of any kind of packet automatically transforms it into “first class mail matter,” with precedence over less important postage and a guaranteed degree of safety.

Surely we may be allowed this assurance of speed and snecial consideration when posting, as many of us regularly do, right across the world.

Gold In Papua

History of the Fields Yield Approaching £2,000,000 From Our Own Correspondent PORT MORESBY, May 2.

THE history of mining in Papua is interesting. As far back as 1884, in the first annual report, there is a mention of 375 ounces of gold being exported.

The next yield of gold was in 1889, when the Louisade rush occurred in the SE. Division (Misima). This and the Murua field (Wocdlark Island) rush in 1894 yielded between them over £991,000.

Later came the Gira. Milne Bay and the Yodda rushes —1898, 1899 and 1900 respectively. The Yodda was of outstanding importance. The three fields were very profitable and yielded somewhere near £600,000.

The Keveri and Laloki (Astrolabe) came next (1904, 1906), but were of minor importance compared to the former enterprises, the results reaching well under £36,000.

The old Lakekamu rush in 1909 was in the district of the new field of today. which was re-opened by the Government in 1930. The Tauri and Tiveri are in its bounds.

The total yield of gold in the treritory since 1884 is approaching £2,000,000. It has involved the work of nearlv half a century and goodness knows of how many lives!

GOVERNMENT COMPETITION Protest from Papua {To The Editor) Sir, —Possibly a little ventilation in your paper might remedy the grievances of people who have spent their lives in the Territory of Papua.

At the present time, like the rest of the world, the people here are suffering from the terrible depression and, naturally, this is felt the more keenly with a Government which does not represent them in any way—members being nominated only by the Lieutenant Governor.

The Government competes with them and very often causes them grievous loss. At the present time this Government is sawmilling, notwithstanding that there is a mill in the Territory which has recently gone into liquidation. The Government vessels ply and carry cargoes, causing shippers grievous injury. All magistrates, now, are traders, and have to collect copra, etc.; without doubt they use the powers that are vested in them to stop the trader from making a living. It must be remembered that many of these traders have developed some of our best plantations, which are the only assets this country has, to carry on to-day. Is it right or fair, in a country like this, that all business should be interfered with by those who are assured of their salaries each month and a pension at the end of twenty years’ service, wit/i copious leaves?

Many men here, old residents, are at the present moment entirely without work and, in many cases, without homes. Surely people who have no vote, and are white, need as much protection as Brown Brother.

I am, etc., FAIR PLAY.

Port Moresby, 12th March, 1931.

Tonga’s Constitutional Difficulties (To The Editor) Sir, —It is surely taxing the mental capacity of your readers to ask them to “construe these exasperating twelve words of the 12-points” imposed by Commander Wilkins, in 1905.

May I invite them to a far easier task —namely, to a moment’s review of your Correspondent’s article on the subject, which means nothing and points nowhere.

Consider that these “12 words which so seriously infringe the excellent Treaty” were subscribed to by Tubou the Second, a quarter of a century ago. That is far longer than any existing Minister of the Crown has been in office. The net result is—vide your Correspondent—a “little kingdom with probably the most stable Government in the world, with no national debt, and a Treasury surplus of £150,000.” . . . “Consider this: One man and the destiny of 26,000 natives.”

In view of the results claimed by your writer, it is surely unduly taxing the credulity of your readers to expect them to sympathise with the postulate that undying fame awaits any obscure politician in the Old Country who will “out of curiosity start asking questions, which will leaji him (the politician) to a solution”; which, your Correspondent hopes, may be soon “for the good of the little kingdom,”

“the betterment of Government,” because “the country never needed it more.”

Comment is unnecessary. It will be interesting to see how your Correspondent extricates himself from the dilemma on which his obviously illogical article impales him.

I am, etc., TOGA-MAA-TOGA.

Nukualofa, 2nd March, 1931.

Radioing Cyclone

WARNINGS Willis Is. Operator Returns AFTER spending six months on lonely Willis Island, Mr. F. R.

Snape, wireless operator of Amalgamated Wireless, returned to Sydney on May 6. Willis Island is a patch of sand on the edge of the Coral Sea, 250 miles from the Queensland coast. The wireless station was placed there by Amalgamated Wireless to enable warnings to be given of cyclones approaching the Australian mainland, Mr. Snape said that during his stay on the island a curious disturbance known as a “line squall” occurred.

This is a small rotary storm, having a whirling velocity of about 100 miles an hour and a forward movement of about 40 miles an hour. This particular squall missed the island by about 100 yards, which was lucky for the wireless aerials and buildings. 10 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

London February 13 COPRA South Sea, Plantation, Sun-Dried Sun-Dried, Rabaul Per ton c.i.f. Per ton c.i.f. •• 14 5 0 .. 14 7 6 February 20 .. 14 10 0 14 12 6 February 27 .. 14 12 6 14 17 6 March 6 .. 14 17 6 15 0 0 March 13 .. 14 17 o 15 2 6 March 20 .. 14 17 6 15 0 0 March 27 .. 14 10 0 14 12 6 April 3 .. 14 10 0 14 12 6 April 10 .. 14 7 6 14 10 0 April 17 .. 14 5 0 14 7 6 April 24 13 15 0 13 17 6 May 1 .. 13 10 0 13 12 6 May 8 . . 12 15 0 12 17 6 London Price on RUBBER.

Para Per lb.

Plantation Smoked Per lb.

March 20 4 3 4d. 313d.

March 27 3J*d.

April 3 . k- .. 4V,d. 3%d.

April 10 . 3V«d.

April 17 .

S^d.

April 24 . 4Vsd. 2%d.

May 1 4Ved. 2!i?d.

May 8 S'/gd.

London Price on March 20 COTTON.

Good Middling.

Per lb. .. 5.82d. ..

Apl.

Shipment March 27 .. 5.73d. ..

Apl.

Shipment April 3 .. 5.65d. ..

May Shipment April 10 .. 5.45d. ..

May Shipment April 17 ,. 5.47d. ..

May Shipment April 24 .. 5.49d. ..

May Shipment May 1 .. 6.33d. ..

June Shipment May 8 .. 5.29d. ..

June Shipment Trochus shell, No. 1 grade .

Per ton . £72 Ditto, No. 2 grade .. .. 61 Ditto, No. 3 grade 50 Beche-de-mef, high grade .. .

Ditto, lower grade, from .. . . 200 30 Cocoa beans (nominal) £32/10/ to £33/10 - Coffee, parchment . 56 Ivory nuts . 14

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Products Of The South Seas

New Low Level Price for Copra THE Unilever Combine, operating on a market that is enormously over-supplied, has been able to bring the price of copra down to a new low level, during the past fortnight. The latest quotation is appalling, and represents a definite loss for the majority of coconut planters. The only ray of sunshine, so far as the South' Seas are concerned, is that producers in Papua, New Guinea and the Solomons are getting the benefit of the depressed Australian exchange.

Although everyone has known that the buyers are completely in control of the market, with all that that means, cue latest quote for copra has given most students of the market something of a shock. Experts, discussing copra prospects with the editor of this journal in London in January, were quite sure that “there is no room under the present quotation.” But since then, the average price has fallen by from 20/- to 30/- per ton!

The conditions which have brought about this state of affairs —particularly the enormous flood of whale oil— have been fully discussed in the last two issues of this Monthly; and further information on the same subject is given in the article of pages 1 and 2.

Thursday Is. Notes Electrical Installation to Commence From Our Own Correspondent THURSDAY IS., April 21.

WORK will commence soon on the erection of the power house in Upper John Street, and this will be an important step in the establishment of Thursday Island’s electric light service. Some of the poles will be delivered shortly and the engine is expected in June.

Mr. Kemp, an independent engineer, has opened up business in Thursday Island for the purpose of installing domestic services, so that everything points to an early completion of the whole undertaking. What the light means in the way of convenience and ultimate economy will be only discovered when it is in use, but the Mayor and Council are to be congratulated on their progressive action and the very favourable terms they have arranged.

It should be remembered by our grateful citizens that the work thus voluntarily performed by various members of the council has been very considerable.

SPORTING DOINGS.

The Aquatic Club opened its season very auspiciously, not with a race, but with a subscription dance, which the members’ wives and lady friends helped to make a success.

The Club has wisely realised the tightness of local purse strings and cut down the entry fees for races to half the former rate. Trophies are now substituted for cash prizes, which is a distinct advantage, bringing more honour to the winners and establishing more firmly the amateur status of the club.

The Sports Club has been reorganised and will start on a new lease of life under the guidance of Mr. H. M.

Green, the newly elected president. The objects of the club are most praiseworthy and its progress will be watched with interest by all who know the value of active sport in promoting good comradeship and health in small tropical communities.

It is to be hoped that the Club decides upon the formation of a keen disciplined football team, which has been conspicuous by its absence for some years past. Two competing teams, principally composed of coloured lads, would be found for matches, varied by an occasional ship’s company. Barriers between the white and coloured races in matters of sport are now completely broken down in most British tropical possessions, and interracial matches are productive of much good. The coloured men who have kept Rugby going here for the last couple of years show a good deal of talent and a very sporting spirit in all their games.

The new r Sports Club opened with a cricket match against a team from the Malabar, and we hope this enjoyable game will be the fore-runner of many others.

STRANDED ON A REEF.

The steamer Temple Pier, en route from Hong Kong to Newcastle, passed the port at daylight on March 10 and stranded on Piper Island, 100 miles south, later on the same day. The vessel was fortunate enough to float off on the high tides then prevailing and proceeded on her way apparently undamaged. The vessel did not engage a pilot at Thursday Island.

PEARLING VETERANS VISIT T.I.

Two pearling veterans, both inseparably connected with the prosperity of the industry and the district generally, have paid us a visit lately—Mr. R.

Hockings and Mr. Herbert Bowden.

Though neither of these gentlemen are resident here, they make frequent visits to their old home and seem to cherish an affection for the island.

There is something of the “Wongai” (the legend runs that he who eats the fruit of the Wongai tree must return to Torres Straits), discernible here, and neither seem to have lost their liking for the fishing and shooting excursions, which are such a feature of life on Thursday Island.

AN OLD TALE REVIVED.

One of those stories of buried treasure that first arrived in Australia along with MacArthur’s merinos has come to life again, and is to have another run for its money up this way.

It had its origin in the disappearance of certain governmental funds during a scrap in a South American State over a century ago. The “original plans” of the site of eventual disposal of the treasure invariably located on the Alice River, a tributary of the Mitchell —have been sold up and down the world the last 50 years.

Now they have changed hands again, possibly at a reduced price on account of the depression, and the new owner, who has implicit faith in his purchase, is coming up to Cape York Peninsula by car in May to start operations.

It did not damp his ardour when a local man who happened to be holn daying in Sydney told him everybody knew about the treasure on the Alice.

He just went on with his dream and asked the man from the Mitchell if he could get him some boys to help in the unearthing of the treasure.

“Sure thing,” said the northerner.

“I can get you the very boys that dug up the site 15 years ago for a Yank who came along with the same plans as yours!”

Trochus On The Upgrade

Large consignments of trochus are awaiting shipment to Japan and the price of this commodity is again on the upgrade at about £5B per ton, which is, however, less than this time last year.

Market Quotations Range of Prices The Pacific Islands Monthly makes a close check of the prices quoted for Islands produce; and it regularly publishes the range of prices during each month, including the last available quotation before going to press.

OTHER PRODUCTS.

Nominal prices quoted in Sydney on May 12 for other Island produce were: The above prices are quoted on the Australian £ and are f.o.b. Sydney.

B. P.’S SPLENDID RECORD Profit Maintained for 1930-31 A FURTHER indication of the wisdom and efficiency with which the affairs of the South Seas trading companies are conducted is furnished in the annual report of Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd. Although the operations of this particular company are world-wide, a very important section of its business relates to its trading in New Guinea and Papua, and the shipping lines which run between Australia and those Pacific territories.

The company showed a profit for the year ended March 31 last, of £258,888, as compared with £256,000 in the previous year. This figure, considering the fact that practically the whole of the year under review was noted for chaotic economic conditions and extremely reduced commodity prices—affecting shipping services as well as general trading—is really remarkable. The directors simply say, “The operations as a whole have given a result which may be regarded as satisfactory.” The surprised and gratified shareholders may be expected to express their sentiments in much stronger language.

The directors, with their usual foresight, are taking no chances so far as the current year is concerned. They have recommended that £75,000 be added to the reserve fund, making a total reserve of no less than £875,000 — a tremendously strong collateral backing for the subscribed capital of £1,500,000. They also are carrying forward a balance of £33,888.

The loss of the new M.V. Malabar, which occurred only two days after the termination of the financial year, is not included in this year’s accounts.

The facts and figures speak for themselves. There is no need for the planters and traders of the South Seas to worry overmuch, so long as the big trading companies, which give them such substantial backing, are conducted in this efficient and successful manner.

The directors of the company are: Messrs. James Burns (chairman), R.

J. Nosworthy (managing director), Lord Inchcape, Lewis Armstrong.

Joseph Mitchell, W. A. Mackay and F. E. Loxton. 11 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931

Per M.V.

Macdhui.

Sydney, dep Brisbane .. May 38 Samara!

Rabaul May 24-27 Kavieng . . May 28 Manus May 29-30 Tumleo, Seleo . . May 31, June 1 Madang, Alexishafen .. June 2 Pinschafen .. June 3 Salamaua . June 4-5 Llndenhafen Rabaul . June 7-8 Samara!

The Marslna will probably leave Sydney on the next trip on May 30.

Burns, Phiip & Oo.

Ltd., Agents.

Morinda Morinda Sydney, Dep . Apl. 22 May 27 June 24 Brisbane . . Apl. 24 May 29 June 26 T’ville (Opt.) Apl. 27 June 1 June ?9 Cairns . . . Apl. 28 June 2 June 30 Ft. Moresby . Apl. 30 June 4 July 2 Yule Is. . . . May 1 July 3 Pt. Moresby . May 2 July 4 Dedele . . . . May 3 June 5 July 5 Samarai . . , May 4-5 June 6 July 6-7 Woodlark Is.

June 7 Samarai . .

June 8 ‘ — Pt. Moresby . May 6 June 9 July 8 Cairns . . . . May 8 June 11 July 10 Brisbane . May 11 June 14 July 13 Sydney . . . May 13 June 16 July 15 Timetable subject to Commonwealth Government approval.

Burns, Philp & Co Ltd., Agents.

Per s.s.

Laperouse Sydney, dep.

May 9 June 13 July 18 Noumea .

My. 13 -16 Jn. 17 -20 Jul. 22-25 Chepenhe May 17 June 21 July 26 Vila ....

May 18 Apl. 22 July 27 Sandwich . 1 Sarmettes . i Mav 19 June 22 July 28 Norsup . . ) Santo . . .

My. 20 -22 Jn. 24-26 Jul. 29-31 Banks . . . ,.

May 23 Aug. 1 Epl May 24 June 28 Aug. 2 Vila ....

May 25 June 29 Aug. ■ Chepenhe . .

May 26 June 30 Aug. 4 Noumea . . .

My. 27 -30 July 1-4 Aug. 5-8 Sydney, arr. .

June 3 July 8 Aug. 12 Messageries Maritimes Co , Agents.

Makambo Makambo or substitute Sydney, dep. . . .

June 6 June 25 Lord Howe I. . .

June 8 June 27 Norfolk Is . June 11-12 June 29 Vila July 2-3 Bushman s B, . .

Halo ... 1 July 4 Tangoa ■ . • Second Ch. ) July 5 Hogg Harb July 6 Vila July 7 Norfolk Is July 10 Lord Howe I. .. .

July 12 Sydney July 14 Monowai Makura Waunganui Papeete . . .

Apl. 25 May 23 June P.f Rarotonga . .

Apl. 28 May 26 June 2° Wellington . .

May 4-5 June • 1-2 Jun 29-30 Sydney . . . .

May 9 June 6 July 4 Sydney . . . . •ha June 11 July 9 Wellington . .

My. 18-19 Jn. 15-16 Jul. 13 -14 Rarotonga . .

Mav 2?

June 20 July 18 Papeete . . .

May 25 June 22 July 20 * Run taken over at Sydney by Maunganui.

Union S.S.

Co. Ltd., Agents.

From PanamaStrasbourg Recherche Esperance Papeete . . .

May 8 June 25 Aug. 6 Raiatea . . .

May 9 June 26 Aug. 7 Suva . . . .

May 18 July 5 Aug. 16 Vila May 21 July 8 Aug. 19 Noumea, arr.

May 26 July 13 Aug. 24 To Panama — Noumea, dep.

June 10 July 28 Sept. 8 Vila June 17 Aug. 4 Sept. 15 Suva Raiatea (opt.) Papeete . . .

June June 26 Aug. 27 Aug. 15 Sept. 16 Sent. 26 27 Messageries Maritimes Co., Agents Per s.s.

Mataram Sydney, dep.

Brisbane . .

Tulagai .

Makambo . . * June 17-19 Gavutu . • Su'u . . .

Aola . . .

Here . . • Kaukaul . .

Here . . ■ ( Teneru . . . . June 22 Lunga . . .

June 22 Kookoom Mamara . . ( June 23 Domma .

Lavoro . .

June 24 Yandina .. June 25 Banika . .

Loabie . .

Ufa .... , ..

Faiam . .

Y. Pepsale .

Kaylah Meringe .

' June 26-27 West Bay .

Soraata . .

Marovo Rendova Kenelo . .

Manning St.

Jack Harb, 1 Hagthorn S. - - Vila . . .

Stanmore 1 Gizo . . .

Bagga . .

Paisi . . .

Oizo . . . / Tetipari . .

Russell Group Mamara . . — Tulagi . .

Brisbane Sydney, arr.

Next trip by Mataram or substitute, July 18.

Burns, Philp & Co.

Ltd., Agents.

Sierra Sonoma Ventura Honolulu . . . Apl. 15 May 6 May 27 Pago-Pago . . Apl. 22 May 13 June 3 Suva . . . . Apl. 25 May 16 June 6 Sydney . . . . Apl. 30 May 21 June 11 Sydney, dep. May 9 May 30 June 20 Suva . . . . May 14 June 4 June 21 Honolulu . . May 15 June 5 June 26 Pago-Pago . May 22 June 12 July r The Oceanic Steamship Co., Matson Line, Agents.

Aorangi Niagara Monowai Honolulu . . . May 0 June 3 July 1 Suva . . . ■ May 15 June 12 July 10 Auckland . . My. 18-19 Jn. 15-16 Jul. 13-14 Sydney . . . May 23 June 20 July 18 Sydney, dep. . *May 28 June 25 tJuly 23 Auckland . June 1-2 Jn. 29-30 Jul. 27-28 Suva .... . June 5 July 3 July 3: Honolulu . . June 12 July 10 Aug. 7 * Run taken over at Sydney by Monowai. t Aorangi resumes at Sydney on July 23.

Union S.S. Co. Ltd., Agents.

Per t.s.s.

Tofua.

Auckland dp. May 16 June 13 July 11 Suva . . . . My. 20-22 Jn. 17-19 Jul. 15-17 Nukualofa . . May 25 June 22 July 20 Haapai . . . May 26 June 23 July 21 Vavau . . . . Niagara May 27 July 22 Apia . . . , My. 28-29 Jn. 25-26 Jul. 23-24 Suva . . . . June 2-4 Jn.30 J1.2 Jul. 28-30 Auckland, arr. June 8 July 6 Aug. ' Union S.S. Co. Ltd., Agents.

St. Albans Nellore Tanda Hongkong . . Apl. i May 1 May 30 Manilla . . . Apl. 4 May 4 June 2 Rabaul . . . Apl. 13 May 13 June 11 Brisbane . . . Apl. 19 May 19 June n Sydney . . . Apl. 22 May 21 June 19 Sydney dep. May 13 June 13 July 15 Brisbane . , . . May 15 June 15 July 17 Rabaul . . . . May 23 June 23 July 25 Manila . . June 1 July 2 Aug. 2 Hongkong . . June 4 July 5 Aug. 5 E. & A.

Steamship Co. Ltd., Agents.

Per s.s. Le Maire Saigon . . . Apl. 15 Jun. 26 Sep. 6 Batavia . . . A. 23-26 Jul. 3-6 Sep. 13-16 Samarang . . Ap!. 27 Jul. 7 Sep. 17 Pt. Moresby . May 7 Jul. 17 Sep. 27 Samaral . . . M£ki 9 Jul. 19 Sep. 29 Noumea . . . M. 16-20 Jul. 26-30 Oct. 6-10 Vila .... . May 22 Aug. 1 Oct. 12 Rabaul . . . M. 27-30 Aug. 6-10 Oct. 17-20 Samara! . . . Jun. 2 Aug. 13 Oct. 23 Pt. Moresby . Jun. 3 Aug. 14 Oct. 24 Samarang . . Jun. 13 Aug. 24 Nov. 3 Batavia . . . J. 14-17 A. 25-28 Nov. 4-7 Saigon . . . . Jun. 22 Sep. 2 Nov. 12 Singapore, Sourabaya, Lae and Salamoa will be called at only if sufficient inducement offers.

Royal Packet Navigation Co . Ltd., Agents.

BURNS, PHIIP & CO. LTD.

General Merchants Shipowners, Tourist Agents, Etc. m? HFttH'K mmmm mm ml ***>»>'>*»■■»***** Is Ht'% n~m a my Head Office - 7 Bridge Street, Sydney - Australia Code Address : " BURPHIL ”

Buyers of All Classes of Island Produce.

Regular Steamer Services From Australia, to New Guinea, Papua, Solomons, Lord Howe, Norfolk Islands, New Hebrides, Java and Singapore Burns, Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd.

Island Traders & Shipowners

Registered Office: Suva, Fiji Also Branches at FIJI Z Levuka, Lautoka, Ba, Labasa, Rotumah.

Tonga Z Nukualofa, Haapai, Vavau Samoa : Apia.

Solomons Z Makambo, Gizo, Faisi.

New Hebrides : Vila.

Gilberts Z Tarawa.

Norfolk Island. Nauru.

Code Address: "Bumsouth”

The B. P. MAGAZINE , . JUNE ISSUE , „ 1/- Copy 1/- Copy will soon be available SOME OF ITS FEATURES: Cover picture (colour) by Raymond Lindsay, depicting a subject of immense historical interest.

What’s In a Name, Kitty McEwan The Big Whale —W. W. Richards Pacific Nights—Vance Palmer Tunis and Ancient Rome—Mario Where Time Delays—Noel Grif- Round About County Kerry— fiths Helena Lowes The Trap-door Spider Keith Quaint Courting Customs —Len- McKeown ore Sweeney A Week-end in Paris Dora Ex-Cannibal Builds Church Wedd A. D, McKinlay, M.A.

Star Above the Cave May My First Drum Major—Andrew Clifton Kennaway,

Stage And Screen Children’S Pages Books

Fashion Social

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♦ W. Holmes Ship, Launch and Boat Builder McMahon’s Point - - - - Sydney Cable Address: “HOLMAC ” SYDNEY.

Shipping Services in The Pacific Sydney-New Guinea Service.

Sydney-Papua Service.

New Guinea Inter-Island Service. 5.5. Maiwara (Burns, Philp & Co.) makes regular round trips from Rabaul to New Ireland and Bougainville ports. 5.5. Mirant (Burns, Philp & Co.) makes regular round trips from Rabaul to New Guinea mainland ports.

S S. Duris, s.s. Durour, s.s. Wyalong (W. R.

Carpenter & Co. Ltd.) makes sailings from Rabaul every two or three weeks to various ports in the Territory.

Solomon Islands Service.

Papuan Inter-Island Services.

S.S. Papuan Chief (Steamships Trading Co. Ltd.) makes regular round trips from Port Moresby to Kapa Kapa, Abau.Baibara, Samara!, and back by same route; then Port Moresby to Hisiu, Yule Island, Kukipl, Orokolo, Kikori, Daru and back via Orokolo, Yule Is., and Hisiu —full trip occupying about one month.

A. K. Matoma (Burns, Philp & Co.) makes regular round trips from Samarai to Puni Puni, Baniara, Cape Nelson, Buna Bay, Mambare, and back by same route, trip occupying about 12 days.

Solomons Inter-Island Service.

M.V. Durambah (W. R. Carpenter & Co.

Ltd.) makes regular three-weekly trip around the Group.

Noumea-New Hebrides Service.

Sydney-Fiji-Samoa-Hawaii.

Sydney-N.Z.-Fiji-Hawaii.

Auckland-Fiji-Samoa-Tonga.

New Hcbrides-Norfolk Is.

Sydney-N.Z.-Cook Is.-Tahiti.

French Eastern Pacific Service.

By ships running between Dunkirk and Noumea, via West Indies and Panama Canal.

Sydney-Rabaul-Hongkong.

Saigon-J ava-Noumea Line Sydney-Fiji Service.

The Karetu will leave Sydney on her next trip on June 9, and will call at Lautoka, Suva and Levuka. The Karetu is maintaining a four-weekly service.

Union S.S. Co., Agents.

New Hebrides Inter-Island Service.

S.S. Malinoa (Burns, Philp (South Sea) Co.

Ltd.) connects every 6 weeks at Vila with s.s. Makambo from Sydney, then'proceeds on southern trip, calling at the islands of Efate.

Erronmanga, Tanna, Aneityum, and returns to Vila —trip occupying 7 or 8 days. After 2 to 3 days at Vila, departs on northern trip, calling at the islands of Efate, Mai, Tongoa, Epi.

Paama, Ambrym, Malekula, Abba, Malo, Santo, and returns to Vila —trip occupying 25 to 28 days. Vessel extends to Banks Group every second trip, equivalent to about every three months.

N. Z. Cook Islands Car&o Service S.S. Waipahi leaves Auckland on her next trip on May 27 and arrives Rarotonga on June 2. She then calls at outlying islands in the group, returning to Rarotonga on June 6 and arriving Auckland on June 15.

Union S.S. Co., Agents.

South Seas Cargo Service The “Clan” line of steamers runs a quarterly service from England, via Suez, calling at Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, etc., and returning via Panama. Agents; Sydney, McArthur Shipping Co. Ltd.: Fiji, Brown and Joskef Samoa, Morris Hedstrom Ltd.

Ocean Island-Nauru Service.

British Phosphate Commission, 16 Spring St., Sydney, sends boats irregularly.

Fiji Inter-Island Service.

T.S.S. Makatea (Burns, Philp (South Sea' Co. Ltd.) makes regular fortnightly trips, under Government contract, as follows: Long Trip, 1,050 miles, Suva to Levuka, Tavenul Coast, Buca Bay, Devo, Rabi, Rotuma and back by same route, occupying about 10 days.

Short Trip, 560 miles, Suva to Levuka, Cicia Mango, Loma Loma, Tavenui Coast, Savu Savu, Levuka, Suva, occupying about 9 days T.S.S. Malake (Burns, Philp (South Sea) Co.

Ltd.) makes frequent trips to Luvuka, Labasa and Lautoka, with transhipment cargo from Suva.

A.S. Makoa (Burns, Philp (South Sea) Co.

Ltd.) makes bi-monthly trips from Levuka to Funafuti and trades with all islands in the Ellice Group. Round trip, about 1,800 miles.

S.S. Adi Keva (Fiji Shipping Co. Ltd.) makes regular trips from Suva to Levuka and Lautoka, round trip occupying three days.

M.S. Sir John Forrest (Fiji Shipping Co.

Ltd.) makes regular trips from Suva to- Levuka, Savu Savu, Nabouwalu, Baulallai, Lekutu, Dreketl, Raduri, Labasa, and return by the same route, round trip occupying about 9 days.

M.S. Adi Rewa (Fiji Shipping Co. Ltd.) makes regular trips from Suva to Ba and!

Lautoka. round voyage occupying four days. 12 THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY, MAY 14, 1931 Wholly Set up in Australia by Viles & Walker, Trade Compositors, 31 Cunningham St Sydney Printed by W. Homer, 31 Cunningham St., Sydney, and Published by Pacific Publications’

Union House, 247 George Street, Sydney.