NORFOLK ISLAND! NEWS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20988, 17 October 1933, Page 3

NORFOLK ISLAND! NEWS

TRADE WITH NEW ZEALAND AN INTERESTING BUDGET Several interesting items of news about affairs in Norfolk Island are contained in a letter received by a Christchurch resident from Mr F. J. Tattle, who was formerly engaged in the motor business in Christchurch. The embargo by the New Zealand Government on the importation of citrus fruit from the Commonwealth had a serious effect on the trade of Die island, which also suffered from the loss of the direct shipping service with New Zealand. Mr Tattle's remarks about the necessity for the introduction of new blood to improve the quality of the island's horses and cattle are* of special interest to New Zealand breeders. The conditions of life on the island also are of interest as they differ considerably from those in Australia and New Zealand. Accompanying Mr Tattle's letter were some copies of the "Norfolk Island Times." The newspaper is typed, instead of being printed, and is sold at threepence a copy. It fills the wants of the islanders, excepting for its dearth of overseas news. As the latest census gives the population of the island as 1231, with slightly more males than females, the circulation of the "Norfolk Island Times" is limited. Appreciation of "The Press." "Fortunately," Mr Tattle wrote, "every three weeks we get our copies of 'The Press' from Christchurch, and though the news is a bit late it really matters not here where time counts 1 for so little. Mrs Tattle and I look [ forward to mail day and the receipt 'of 'The Press.' It is like a welcome friend paying its three-weekly visit and bringing news of doings and happenings not only in Canterbury but also in the outside world generally, all of which is eagerly devoured. Where, formerly, the motor notes were of most interest to the writer, now 'On the Land' is a great draw. Effect of the Embargo. "Owing to the embargo and the loss of our direct shipping service to New Zealand, our tourist traffic has fallen away very considerably, and our trade to and from New Zealand has stopped completely. Last year (193132) we imported from New Zealand goods to the value of more than £II,OOO, consisting principally of timber, meat, furniture, drapery, bacon, butter, manures, etc. —practically all these lines being your own production. To lose even our market meant a fairly considerable sum in loss ot wages to the various industries concerned. Then, again, we exported to you produce and fruit valued at .£BOOO, the balance of trade being decidedly in your favour, and this year, with a wonderful crop of oranges, we had no means of shipping to you; consequently, you were forced to pay very high prices for foreign-grown. The local orange, as good as is grown anywhere in the world, has been sold here for Is for a petrol tin full. Naturally with only one market, the growers here are obliged to ship everything to Sydney, but it would not have paid our cost; to have shipped oranges. "Our Chamber of Commerce has not taken the embargo lying down, and many communications have passed between the chamber in Auckland and ourselves, and by keeping the matter weil before those directly concerned, we hope to again open up direct communications. "With the turn of the tide I can visualise a return of a direct steamer with its reopening our tourist connexion, our buying from New Zealand, and also the prospects of shipping our produce to you as we. being sub-tropi-cal, can supply tomatoes, beans, peas, potatoes, etc., months earlier than your locally grown." Need for Bloodstock. Referring to the necessity for the importation of stud stock, Mr Tattle wrote:— "It is very costly importing from Australia, as the freight is very high, and the beasts are twice as long at sea. The stock here, both horses and cattle, require new blood, as it is many years since good buils or cows were imported, necessitating inbreeding with its natural loss of stamina and type. "We expect to have a visit from a I dairy inspector from Sydney this coming month (October) to advise our community on dairying generally. Last year we imported more than £2OOO worth of butter, and this total could be greatly reduced by a better class of cow and improved pastures. As only one store has a freezing plant, it means that imported butter bought from the stores must be at times a month old and out of cool store all the lime, our shipping service from Sydney being only three-weekly. A good living is to be made by a competent man with the right stock and land in making butter, as the stores would absorb all his output and thus save any worry about book debts. "A system obtaining on Norfolk Island is that one can get permission from the Executive Council to graze cattle on the road? and government reserves, and the owner then puts in one day for every beast so grazed, cutting noxious weeds and scrub on public reserves. Thus, for 10 head of stock he would put in 10 days, cutting scrub, etc., yet for beasts up to 12 months, no labour has to be performed. This, together, with our system of public work, instead of rates, helps to make Norfolk Island such a haven for harassed mainlanders.

Work in Lieu of Rates. "We pay no rates, but in lieu thereof every male over 20 years of age and under 55, is liable for public work, making, repairing, and keeping in order our piers, roads, etc., limited to not more than 15 days per annum. If labour is not performed, 8s a day has to be paid to the council. The calls are made when road repairs are necessary and gangs are posted under a foreman on certain sections. Occasionally our labours are just completed when we get a few inches of rain, and, having no metal on the roads, our good work is undone, and another call has to be made. However, the system has worked admirably, and although a 'government stroke' I have seen far more work done here in a day than by some government gangs on the mainland.

Free and Easy Life. "Whatever hapnens outside of Norfolk it cannot take away our natural beauty, our ideal climate, our free and easy mode of living, our working under ideal conditions, our happy social life, and believe me, we have this latter. We have two golf clubs and six tennis clubs, and we are just finishing a contract bridge tournament, our repertory theatre is going strong, and we have an excellent musical and dramatic club—the last production was 'The Magistrate.' "A tourist bureau has been formed, and the secretary will welcome all enquiries from prospective visitors, or settlers, and as the department is semigovernment, a prompt and full reply is assured. Our Chamber of Commerce has formerly nan "lied several of these but now we can pass them on to the proper quarter."

herdess), Keith Owen (Dutch Boy). Over 12 years: Gladys Woods (Shepherdess), Ernest Collins (Mephistopheles). Visitors' prizes: Laurel White (Perfection Ice Cream), Allan White (Midnight Hiker). Most original: Thelma Bloxham (Pinepapple), Will Carter (Scarecrow). Best poster: Betty Wakefield (Brasso), Bill Perkins (Sun Newspaper). Best dressed pair: Elsie and Joan Shrimpton (Grandma and Grandpa). Special prize given by judges: Nevule and Hector Burbery (Minnie and Micky Mouse). Family prize; Mrs W. Carter,