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Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 74

Referring to the life of planters jn an address on New Guinea at the Timaru Rotary Club, Mr W. I. Tait said that one of the main essentials of a planter was to be able io handle Kanaka boys, who, as a rule, were recruited from the bush. To “ handle ” a Kanaka was to be able to converse with him, convey instructions, and to be in a position to fight him when occasion demanded. At times it was necessary that the boy receive a “ knock,” and unless one was able to inflict thia punishment without the boy retaliating to any degree, the planter’s career in that capacity would soon come to an end. At the same time the law so protected the Kanaka that all “ cracks ” delivered were subject to a fine of £5 by the Administration, if the aggressor were reported. It was an old saying in Rabaul :■ “ Cra-k a nigger—fine £5; crack a Cong (Chinaman) —fine £2; crack a white man —no fine at all.” —(Laughter.) Evidence of the popularity of art unions as a method of raising money these days was forthcoming at the meeting of the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The secretary (Mr Seddon) stated that the Minister had a pile of applications about a foot high on his table numbering about 80. When asked whether tn ere were any other A. and P. associations which were applying for an art union, Mr Seddon replied: “Is there any A. and P. association which has not applied? ”