Rubber – Growing.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6, 7 January 1914, Page 5

Rubber - Growing.

REPORT FROM NEW GUINEA

NATIVE LABOUR TROUBLES. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] l bJNIIaJJ I'llbea A.-SCsuClAllOiVj Received 9.20 a.m.) Mr Craiz, the well-known plantation expert in New Guinea, states that rubber cultivation in the Group is practically a dead letter, and most of the plantations are now turning their attention to copra. None oi the rubber properties except Sir Rupert Clark's, proved a success. I'aru, rubber was the only species which had shown promise of success. Ceara rubber was attacked at the root by a fungus disease, and one plantation was abandoned after several thousands of pounds had been spent. Sistd, hemp grew to perfection, but for some reason, in several plantations, alter large amounts had been expended, its growing was abandoned.

Mr Craiz continued: The whole trouble in connection with the -Native labour question arose through tlio Natives not being always well treated. News quickly spreads, and makes recruiting difficult. One remedy is to get boys from outside their own district; then if they run away they come in contact with other tribes, who, if they do not kill and eat them, refuse to allow thorn under their roof, and they are then drivel 'to return to their employer. While some of the planters treat rue Natives badly, on the other hand the Government handle them with kid gloves.