PLANTERS IN THE SOLOMONS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1920, Page 4

PLANTERS IN THE SOLOMONS

SPLENDID OPENINGS BUT NO LABOUR.

SYDNEY, Nov. 16. A remarkable number of New Zealanders have found their way to the Solomon Islands, said the Resident Commissioner of the group, Air C. Workman, when interviewed here this week. He expressed pleasure that so many Australians and New Zealandeis had found their way to the group, for they made excellent settlers, and adapted themselves very readily to the conditions (here. He added that although he had been accused of being an Englishiria'n with English prejudices, he had more Australians and New Zealanders on his staff than lie had Englishmen. Mr Workman said that the planting business had made groat progress in the group during the past five years, but ivas now held up owing to the difficult} in obtaining labour. The Solomons had a large native population, of course, but the natives did not take kindly to

labour. They lived happily ' enough without work in their fruitful countiy, under native conditions, and they could meet all their needs without working for the white man. Those who were recruited for tlie plantations did not take readily to the life and soon went off home again. The Solomon group comprised a very large tract of very fertile country, and great wealth would attend the pi”' development of the Islands’ resources. The administration of hate had received numerous enquiries for land from all parts of the world, but he was bound to say that, while"the land was available, and the market for tlie Islands’ pro-1 ducts never better, the whole situation | was’governed by the supply of labour— j arid the labour supply was quite inadequate." It was lioped that as the years , j passed the situation would be improved by the education' of the natives. This . was going on steadily v riri’d as the natives acquired learning they acquired also a desire for a higher standard of life. As soon as they adopted European ways tlieir requirements became greater, ' and they thus realised the necessity for work. The solution of the difficulty lay there—hut it was a slow process, and it followed that the development of these very valuable islands would be much retarded'.

Washboard slavery has gone for ever thanks to No Rubbing Laundry Help, j 1/ packet docs seven weekly washings. . —E. J. Lloyd,' agent for No Rubbing. A frettish boy—a wise mother—a bottle of IMPEY’S MAY APPLE-a good' dose—a few hours —a well boy.