CROWDED JAVA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 215, 11 August 1937, Page 8

CROWDED JAVA

EAST INDIES COLONIES. VISITOR IMPRESSED. “Java is only about the size of the North Island of New Zealand, hut it contains a population of 4i million people. 1 was amazed at the development of agriculture in the area,” said Mr E. E. Mabin, of Tokomaru, in conversation with a “Standard” representative, today, when he spoke very interestingly on a recent cruise of nine weeks he had enjoyed in the Dutch East Indies and Singapore. Mr Mabin was particularly interested in the development of cropping in this fertile region and was most surprised by the intensity with which it is undertaken.

“Even the volcanoes are cultivated almost to the top,” said Mr Mabjn. “Practically all the work is done with tlie spade, with occasionally an oldfashioned wooden plough, but on the whole there is no cultivating machinery employed.: It was an eye-opener to me.” It was noticeable that a great number of the people were engaged in rice growing,, but the density of the population required the whole of the crop to be consumed on the domestic market, none being exported at all. On the other hand, sugar and tea were also grown extensively and exported. A feature of Javanese agriculture methods was that many families appeared to possess their own areas and to work them to the utmost extent. “The climate of Java is very equable, as a result of the insular nature of the territory and as a result there are not the uncomfortable extremes of temperature that might be expected "in such a latitude. Definite wet and dry seasons are experienced and copious rain falls at certain periods. This is. however, offset to a big extent by the heat, which induces a prolific growth. The climate is not as severe as that of Northern Australia,” Mr Mabin said.

CHEAP LABOUR. As might be expected in such ail area, Mr Mabin found the rates of pay to be very low as compared with ordinary standards. The average payment for a labourer for agricultural work was in the vicinity of Cd per day. On the other hand the cost of living was proportionately low, being exceptionally small indeed. There was no 40-hour week in Java- —not even a lull at the week-end. Work was continuous on the fields week in week out, the whole year round, except for two days—Christmas Day and ono other Dutch observance.

There was undoubted evidence of peaceful penetration by the Japanese, said Mr Mabin. and it was apparent that the Dutch interests were keen to avert any extension of their hold. Japanese had founded businesses and were well established in the East Indies. The Dutch people had proved to be very courteous to the visitor, both ashore and on their own liner, the Maetsuycker. Bandoeng had impressed him as a very fine city, built as it is on a higher lever than Batavia, the capital, anc l Samarang. The architecture is on modern lines and the city is nicely laid out. The importance placed by the Dutch on the utilisation of aviation for the development of the territory was very evident. Fine large airliners were in regular operation, affording a link with Holland. The close affinity existing between the homeland and the, colony was further typified .by the : cheap postage rates, letters being carried by air at no additional cost. As a result it was the regular practice, instead of the exception, to use the air mails. Despite the use of the airlines, however, the Dutch placed very great importance on shipping services and maintained fast, comfortable ships on the various routes in the group. A position somewhat akin to that prevailing in American waters operated concerning British shipping, which was not permitted to operate between Dutch ports. It was understood that the Dutch Royal Family were financially interested to a big extent "in the K.P.M. Line. STRATEGY OF SINGAPORE.

Of particular interest to the New Zealander was a visit paid to Singapore, the locality of the powerful and ail-important base guarding British interests in the South Pacific. A permit was required to enjoy a visit to the defence area, and under the direction of an officer Mr Mabin was keenly interested in what he saw of the developments effected in recent years. From a malaria-infected swamp Singapore has been developed into a modern centre of defence, ranking with Hong Kong as a most important strategical area. All Japanese shipping is required to pass within its range, and it commands a position of immense value. Mr Mabin inspected the new aerodrome recently completed at a cost of £1.000,000, a big proportion of the cost being absorbed in reclaiming the swamp lands. This is quite separate from the equally up-to-date equipment at the naval dockyard, which can handle any warship that may call on its services for overhaul. A tremendous amount of machinery is involved, all being of the most modern design. The quarters for the men are built oil high land apart from the military establishment and are designed to afford the utmost comfort.

The population of Singapore is in the vicinity of 350.000, hut only about seven or eight thousand of these are white persons, the remainder being Indians —who preponderate—Japanese, and Chinese. Mr Mabin mentioned that the rubber industry appears to be the only one of any extent. Singapore being a transhipping centre of the utmost importance. For instance, the majority of the Japanese are present as the representatives of shipping and commercial firms, the traffic of which from the East all passed through this strategic centre. The territory, like .Java, 'enjoys a very equable climate, which visitors do not find over-trying.

HAVOC IN RABAUL

Only three weeks after the disastrous eruptions in Rabaul, Mr Mabin paid a visit to the territory, which at that time was still almost deserted by Europeans. The first indication the travellers had of the immensity of the destruction was the thick layer of volcanic mud on the surface, of the harbour, lying to a depth of six inches. As a precaution against damage to the ships' machinery from the pumice captains did not reverse their vessels while in the harbour. A remarkable evidence of the volcanic force exerted was seen in the elevation of a volcano from a height of 15ft and an area of an acre to a height of 600 ft. and an area of a. mile and ahalf. This volcano, which was in the harbour,' but joined to the mainland, was now dormant, but at the time ot Mr Mahin’s visit, another on the opposite side of the harbour was active. Because of the proximity of these volcanoes to the harbour passage it was

understood that the shipping companies were not keen for the rehabilitation of Rabaul. and it was likely that a town nearer the ocean would become the capital. Rabaul itself was a pitiable sight when viewed by Mr Alabin. Thick pumice ash had rained down on the vegetation and buildings, subsequent heavy rain leaving the area with a bedraggled appearance as ..though ic had been swept by an immense flood. The vegetation was broken down and buildings were wrecked, but the natives were engaged in restoring Rabaul as near as possible to its former state.