Fix this text
THE Pacific Islands
Fix this textMonthly
Fix this textTHE ONLY JOURNAL CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND TERRITORIES AND GROUPS
Fix this textOF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH PACIFIC.
Fix this textVol. 1—No.1 —No. 10
Fix this textRegistered at G.P.O., Sydney, lor
Fix this texttransmission by Post as a Newspaper
Fix this textSYDNEY; THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1931
Fix this textSingle Copy, flfd.
Fix this textPer Annum, posted, fl/-.
Fix this textTUNG OIL
Fix this textSouth Sea Experiments
Fix this textFORDII OR MONTANA
Fix this textA GOOD deal of interest has been
Fix this textevinced in the possibility of cul
Fix this texttivating tung oil trees in the Pacific
Fix this textIslands, as a result of the article in
Fix this textthe April issue of this journal, and
Fix this textwe have had several requests for fur
Fix this textther information.
Fix this textMr. W. R. Carpenter advises that
Fix this texthe is experimenting in New Britain
Fix this textwith several scores of trees of the
Fix this textFordii variety, which were obtained
Fix this textfrom the Botanic Gardens in Sydney.
Fix this textThe trees are now about two years
Fix this textold.
Fix this textMr. R. C. Laycock, writing from Tul
Fix this textagi, Solomon Islands, early in March,
Fix this textsays: “One of the companies has just
Fix this textbrought in some tung oil (Aleurites
Fix this textFordii) plants and seeds for trial. But
Fix this textas I tried some myself about 12 months
Fix this textago, and they failed absolutely to grow
Fix this texton the best of soil, I rather fear that
Fix this textthis species finds the climate too hot.
Fix this textPerhaps the Montana species would be
Fix this textO.K.”
Fix this textMr. Laycock lays his finger on a
Fix this textpoint that was later emphasised in our
Fix this textarticle in April—namely, that it is un
Fix this textlikely that the Fordii species will grow
Fix this textwell in a tropical, oceanic climate. In
Fix this textChina, the Fordii flourishes in Cen
Fix this texttral China, particularly in the Yangtse
Fix this textValley; while the Montana species does
Fix this textwell in the hot coastal districts of
Fix this textSouthern China, Cochin China and
Fix this textBurma. Fordii, therefore, should be
Fix this textsuitable for cultivation in Australia
Fix this textand New Zealand, and-possibly in the
Fix this texthigher, inland altitudes of New
Fix this textGuinea: but, as Mr. Laycock says, it
Fix this textis likely that Montana will do better
Fix this textthan Fordii in the Pacific Islands gen
Fix this texterally. Fordii is the better oil pro
Fix this textducer, and therefore the better com
Fix this textmercial proposition; but cultivation of
Fix this textMontana, if practicable, is also quite
Fix this textprofitable.
Fix this textN. GUINEA MINING
Fix this textMr. Dunstan’s Investigations
Fix this textFrom Our Canberra Correspondent
Fix this textCANBERRA, May 12.
Fix this textMR. B. DUNSTAN, formerly chief
Fix this textGovernment geologist in Queens
Fix this textland, is still in New Guinea, continu
Fix this texting his inquiry into the goldmining
Fix this textconditions there. The object of his
Fix this textvisit is to ascertain whether, in view
Fix this textof the special conditions, any amend
Fix this textment of the mining laws is necessary.
Fix this textThe Papuan Government has asked
Fix this textthat Mr. Dunstan’s services be made
Fix this textavailable for general geological work
Fix this textwhen he has completed his investiga
Fix this texttions in the Mandated Territory, and
Fix this textit has been arranged that this shall be
Fix this textdone.
Fix this textWhilst there have been no gold dis
Fix this textcoveries of any importance in Papua
Fix this textlately, it is desired that Mr. Dunstan
Fix this textshall make some examination of the
Fix this textcountry and report as to its possi
Fix this textbilities.
Fix this textBefore the war there was consider
Fix this textable activity in copper-mining at
Fix this textBootless Inlet, near Port Moresby—the
Fix this textLaloki Copper Mines. The works, how
Fix this textever, were obliged to close down after
Fix this textthe war, owing to the low price of
Fix this textcopper, and the low prices which have
Fix this textsince prevailed have rendered all
Fix this textefforts to revive the industry abortive.
Fix this textLEIPZIG TRADE FAIR
Fix this textCabled advice has been received from the
Fix this textauthorities of the Leipzig Trade Fair, in Ger
Fix this textmany, by their Sydney representative, Mr.
Fix this textliars. G. Brundahl, to the effect that the
Fix this textSpring Fair, which opened at Leipzig on
Fix this textMarch 1, was a great success. There were
Fix this textover 9,000 exhibitors.
Fix this textBuyers were present from 86 different
Fix this textcountries.
Fix this textPapuan Native Labour
Fix this textNew Regulations
Fix this textMixed Reception Among
Fix this textCommercial Interests
Fix this textFrom Our Own Correspondent
Fix this textPORT MORESBY, May 2.
Fix this textTHERE have been two regulations
Fix this textof the Government lately that
Fix this texthave caused. some comment
Fix this textamongst the planters, storekeepers and
Fix this texttraders.
Fix this textThe first is, that guarantees for na
Fix this texttive labour contracts are, in most cases,
Fix this textnot acceptable, and that it is now
Fix this textcompulsory to pay native labour in
Fix this textadvance, to ensure the native getting
Fix this texthis payments, owing to the uncertain
Fix this textstate of the different companies and
Fix this textplantations during the depressed con
Fix this textditions of the country.
Fix this textThe second regulation is that all
Fix this textnatives are to be paid off in the dis
Fix this texttricts they were recruited and to which
Fix this textthey belong, and that no advances on
Fix this texttheir contracts are permitted while
Fix this textthey are being employed.
Fix this textThese regulations are both in the
Fix this textinterests of the natives, the second re
Fix this textgulation ensuring the native his entire
Fix this textearnings when he reaches his home,
Fix this textamongst his own people, the first
Fix this textguaranteeing that he gets his money.
Fix this textThese new laws have caused incon
Fix this textvenience. In the first place it has been
Fix this texthard to find ready money to pay a
Fix this textconsiderable number of boys their
Fix this textwages in advance and their recruiting
Fix this textand signing-on expenses at the same
Fix this texttime.
Fix this textIn the second instance some store
Fix this textkeepers and traders have relied almost
Fix this textentirely on the purchases of natives
Fix this textbefore leaving for their districts after
Fix this textthe completion of their contracts.
Fix this textHowever, it is hard to please every
Fix this textone. The outside trader welcomes the
Fix this textchanges. He now eagerly looks for
Fix this textward to “pay-offs” in his district.
Fix this textMany natives are not entirely pleas
Fix this texted with the regulations, especially
Fix this textthose who do not wish to return to
Fix this texttheir homes to share their wages, and
Fix this textthose who are disgruntled that no ad
Fix this textvances are allowed to them —which the
Fix this textnew law prevents. Others, of course,
Fix this textare entirely satisfied and look forward
Fix this textto the dash they will cut in their vil
Fix this textlages while the money lasts.
Fix this textIt is compulsory for a native to re
Fix this textturn to his village after a period of
Fix this textfive years’ service before making an
Fix this textother contract. This is to ensure the
Fix this textconsolidation and continuance of na
Fix this texttive village life, which, if broken up,
Fix this textwould be disastrous to the Territory
Fix this textgenerally.
Fix this textCOOK IS. WEDDING
Fix this textReception at The Residency
Fix this textFrom Our Own Correspondent
Fix this textRAROTONGA, April 28
Fix this textTHE first European wedding for
Fix this textsome time took place here on April
Fix this text7. The contracting parties were
Fix this textMiss Nancy Ayson of Toiro, Otago, and
Fix this textMr. A. Stevens of Rarotonga.
Fix this textMiss Ayson came to Rarotonga to
Fix this textwork in the field of education, and
Fix this textto the natives and Europeans she has
Fix this textbecome well known and well liked by
Fix this textall.
Fix this textThe reception was held at the resi
Fix this textdence of Judge Ayson, the Resident
Fix this textCommissioner, cousin of the bride. The
Fix this textResidency stands on a low knoll in de
Fix this textlightful surroundings and commands a
Fix this textfine view. The bride and bridegroom
Fix this textwere surely favoured with the best
Fix this textthat tropical beauty could offer them.
Fix this textThe bride looked charming in a beauti
Fix this textful frock of white georgette and lace.
Fix this textMr. G. H. Murray, Director of Agri
Fix this textculture in New Guinea, recently arriv
Fix this texted in Sydney on leave.
Fix this textISLANDS SHIPS
Fix this textItineraries Still Indefinite
Fix this textSCHEDULE OF PRESENT
Fix this textARRANGEMENTS
Fix this textNO finality has yet been reached
Fix this textbetween the Federal Government
Fix this textand Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd.,
Fix this textregarding the rearrangement of Islands
Fix this textsteamers, but it is expected that a de
Fix this textfinite decision will be reached shortly.
Fix this textIn the meantime the new M.V.
Fix this textMacdhui is sailing from Sydney for
Fix this textNew Guinea on May 16, and her sche
Fix this textdule is published in our shipping col
Fix this textumns. The next vessel to New Guinea
Fix this textwill be probably the Marsina, and her
Fix this textsailing date will be May 30.
Fix this textAs regards the Solomon Islands ser
Fix this textvice, the Mataram will leave Sydney
Fix this texton her next trip on June 10. The
Fix this textsucceeding trip will be made on July
Fix this text18, but it is not known what vessel
Fix this textwill be then on the service.
Fix this textThe Morinda will leave Sydney for
Fix this textPapua on May 27. The next trip is
Fix this textscheduled for June 24, but here, again,
Fix this textthe steamer for that trio is not known.
Fix this textFor the Norfolk Island-New Hebri
Fix this textdes service, the Makambo will depart
Fix this textfrom Sydney on the short trip on June
Fix this text6. This vessel, or a substitute, will
Fix this textleave on the long Mp on June 25.
Fix this textThe Montoro is at present under
Fix this textgoing overhaul in Sydney, and she will
Fix this textnot be in commission again until the
Fix this textlatter end of June.
Fix this textHONOUR FOR PETER
Fix this textOld Life-Saver From Solomons
Fix this textFrom Our Own Correspondent.
Fix this textSUVA, May 2.
Fix this textTHE Long Room in the Customs
Fix this textHouse recently was filled by officials
Fix this textand shipping men, gathered to do hon
Fix this textour to the little old Solomon Islander
Fix this textnamed Peter. He has lived in Fiji for
Fix this text40 years, and has been night watchman
Fix this texton King’s Wharf for a number of years.
Fix this textDuring that time he has, all alone,
Fix this textsaved the lives of two white men and
Fix this textone Chinese.
Fix this textFollowing the second act of bravery,
Fix this textthe Royal Humane Society’s attention
Fix this textwas called to Peter by the Secretary of
Fix this textState, and Peter was awarded the cer
Fix this texttificate and bronze medal of the
Fix this textSociety.
Fix this textAt 11 p.m. on December 11 last, he
Fix this textheard cries and found a Chinese in the
Fix this textharbour, and two Europeans on the
Fix this textwharf vainly trying to catch hold of
Fix this textthe drowning man. Divesting himself
Fix this textof his much-loved tunic, Peter jumped
Fix this textinto the shark-infested waters and res
Fix this textcued the drowning man.
Fix this textThe Comptroller of Customs (Mr. J
Fix this textM. Wilson), addressed Peter, who
Fix this textwore his medal, and said that the
Fix this textGovernor had decided that a monetary
Fix this textrecognition should be given to him,
Fix this text“as a small reward in recogni
Fix this texttion of your brave act.” Mr, Wilson
Fix this textconcluded, with
Fix this textsome feeling, “I
Fix this textam proud to be
Fix this textthe head of the
Fix this textDepartment that
Fix this textemploys you.”
Fix this textThe address
Fix this textconcluded with
Fix this textloud cheers and
Fix this textPeter’s hand was
Fix this texteagerly shaken by
Fix this textthe people pre
Fix this textsent, all of whom
Fix this textcongratulated
Fix this texthim.
Fix this textIt was a great
Fix this textoccasion for
Fix this textPeter, who was
Fix this textmoved almost to
Fix this texttears by the en
Fix this textthusiasm around
Fix this texthim. He stood
Fix this textthere, with a
Fix this textslight smile on
Fix this texthis face, but
Fix this textnever a word
Fix this textcould he utter.
Fix this textLike many an
Fix this textother brave man.
Fix this texthe believed in
Fix this textdeeds, not words
Fix this textUnilever and Copra’s Future
Fix this textINTERNATIONAL COMBINE’S STRANGLEHOLD
Fix this textCapitalisation Problem f or South Seas Planters
Fix this textBY R. W. ROBSON, EDITOR OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY.
Fix this textIN my first two articles, written in London in January, I dealt
Fix this textwith two depressing and discouraging factors in the world
Fix this textcopra market namely, the enormous over-production of all
Fix this textclasses of vegetable oil seeds, and of whale oil; and the manner
Fix this textin which scientific discoveries and technical developments have
Fix this textallowed soap and margarine manufacturers to use, as substi
Fix this texttutes for coconut oil, various soft vegetable oils and animal
Fix this textproducts which, formerly, could not be used in high-class goods.
Fix this textIn this article, I propose to give something about the most
Fix this textdisturbing factor operating in the market —namely, the com
Fix this textbination of buyers. The over-production of oil, and scientific
Fix this textprogress, while unfortunate, cannot be resented —they are the
Fix this textnatural results of commercial development and the law of supply
Fix this textand demand —and they will cure themselves.
Fix this textBUT the Combine is in a different
Fix this textcategory. It is an artificial crea
Fix this texttion, a poisonous growth on the
Fix this texthealthy body of trade, a sinister and
Fix this textcruel force designed to suck the life
Fix this textblood out of private enterprise, and
Fix this textrob honest industry of its just re
Fix this textwards.
Fix this textMost of the things which alarm the
Fix this textcoconut planter to-day are of transient
Fix this textcharacter—with other economic abnor
Fix this textmalities, they presently will pass away.
Fix this textThe Combine, I fear, is here to stay
Fix this textfor some time —merciless in its pur
Fix this textpose, and so strong that it can defy
Fix this textthe strongest selling agent and the
Fix this textmost determined Government. At the
Fix this textpresent time it is completely in com
Fix this textmand of the European market. Over
Fix this textproduction, chaotic economic condi
Fix this texttions, and buyers’ weakness —all have
Fix this textgiven it a hold of the market from
Fix this textwhich it cannot easily be pried loose.
Fix this textI can see only one ray of hope in
Fix this textthe situation a possibility that the
Fix this textbludgeoning of the market will give
Fix this textsmall manufacturers a chance. That
Fix this textpossibility is dealt with later on.
Fix this textIn a world of great combines, Uni
Fix this textlever is among the most powerful. I
Fix this texthave not the exact figures but I
Fix this textknow that they are startling. It dom
Fix this textinates the soap and margarine making
Fix this textindustries of Europe few, if any,
Fix this textmanufacturers of importance are now
Fix this textoperating against it. Its operations
Fix this textextend over the whole world, and it
Fix this textcontrols almost every selling market —
Fix this textexcept possibly those in North
Fix this textAmerica.
Fix this textUNILEVER’S HISTORY.
Fix this textThe growth of the Unilever Combine
Fix this textcan be traced from developments be
Fix this textfore and during the war. Originally
Fix this textthere were two big operators in the
Fix this textcopra market Yergen and Vanden
Fix this textberg, both Dutch. During the war,
Fix this textwhile the competing firms of the com
Fix this textbatant nations were otherwise occu
Fix this textpied, these two big concerns got
Fix this texttogether and bought a controlling in
Fix this textterest in certain German mills.
Fix this textAfter the war, a strong German or
Fix this textganisation, the Heimer Combine,
Fix this textsprang up, and took control of mills
Fix this textin Czechoslovakia. Austria and
Fix this textSwitzerland. It fought the Dutch Com
Fix this textbine, and competition was healthy.
Fix this textBut the next move was bad —there
Fix this textcame a Yergen-Vandenberg-Heimer
Fix this textcombination, which gave them control
Fix this textof the margarine industry in nearly
Fix this textevery country. They bought a mill in
Fix this textLatvia, a controlling interest in two
Fix this textbig mills in Sweden, and, in the lat
Fix this textter end of 1930, they got control of
Fix this textthe Norwegian mills.
Fix this textMeanwhile, the Continental organi
Fix this textsation had linked up with British
Fix this textmanufacturers—and so we obtain the
Fix this textfamous “Margarine Union,” controlling
Fix this textmargarine manufacture and distribu
Fix this texttion throughout Europe, and, in the
Fix this textcopra market, buying for the mills of
Fix this textBritain, Scandinavia, Holland. Ger
Fix this textmany, Switzerland, Austria and
Fix this textCzecho-Slovakia.
Fix this textDuring this period Lever Brothers
Fix this textwere creating in the soap making in
Fix this textdustry of Europe the same dominant
Fix this textorganisation that the Dutch-German
Fix this textCombine had brought into being in the
Fix this textmargarine business. Since their chief
Fix this textraw materials were the same, it was
Fix this textinevitable that the Margarine Union
Fix this textand Lever Brothers should come close
Fix this texttogether—either as friends or enemies.
Fix this textTo the discomfiture of the oil seed
Fix this textproducers of the world, they amalga
Fix this textmated their interests. And thus Uni
Fix this textlever was born, less than two years
Fix this textago.
Fix this textOVER PRODUCTION FAVOURS
Fix this textUNILEVER.
Fix this textNo arguments or figures of mine are
Fix this textneeded to show how Unilever can com
Fix this textmand the European copra market.
Fix this textEven in normal times, the concentra
Fix this texttion of so much buying power in the
Fix this textone organisation must have adversely
Fix this textaffected sellers’ interests. But, if all
Fix this textthe high gods had combined to ar
Fix this textrange favourable conditions for the
Fix this textadvent of Unilever in the raw mater
Fix this textials market, they could not have im
Fix this textproved the position as Unilever found
Fix this textit in 1930. The phenomenal over-pro
Fix this textduction of every kind of oil-seed, and
Fix this textof whale-oil, simply invited Unilever to
Fix this textpay what it liked for copra and all
Fix this textallied commodities. Unilever, naturally,
Fix this texttook full advantage of its opportuni
Fix this textties, and has established itself, firmly
Fix this textand permanently, as the most powerful
Fix this textfactor governing the European copra
Fix this textmarket.
Fix this textUnilever completely controls the sell
Fix this texting price of copra in Northern Europe.
Fix this textThe Marseilles group of copra buyers
Fix this textis independent of the Combine and
Fix this textprovides the chief market for the South
Fix this textSeas product. But the Marseilles mar
Fix this textket absorbs only 100.000 tons of copra
Fix this textannually, and the buyers there natur
Fix this text(CONTINUED ON PAGE 2.)
Fix this textSnapshot of Peter, with Mr. Wilson, head of Customs Department
Fix this text(second from right), just after the presentation.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
With your Trove account you can:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-333560300
(1931). Pacific islands monthly : PIM Retrieved March 1, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-333560300
Pacific islands monthly : PIM [Sydney: Pacific Publications, 1931. Web. 1 March 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-333560300>
1931, Pacific islands monthly : PIM Pacific Publications, [Sydney viewed 1 March 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-333560300
{{Citation
|
| title=Pacific islands monthly : PIM.
| year=1931
| section=v. : illustrations ; 28-42 cm.
| issn=0030-8722
| issue=Vol. 1 No. 10 (May 14, 1931)
| location=[Sydney
| publisher=Pacific Publications
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-333560300
| id=nla.obj-333560300
| access-date=1 March 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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