Chinese are Gaining Control of Solomon Islands Copra Trade

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 198, 10 November 1927, Page 1

Chinese are Gaining Control of Solomon Islands Copra Trade

WHITE MEN OUT OF BUSINESS By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright Received 9.40 a.m. SYDNE\, Wednesday. MEMBERS of the crew of the steamer Duranbah, which has just returned from the Solomon Islands, state that, owing chiefly to the low price of copra, traders were suffering under a great handicap. Many have been forced to relinquish their business to the Chinese, w r ho are gradually gaining control of the trade.

Traders at present purchased copra from the natives at £ 11 a ton. It was then sold to either of the two big Pacific trading companies at prices ranging from £l4 to £l4 10s a ton. Working expenses absorb the greater part of the gross profit, and many of the traders had been forced to retire. The Chinese traders, however, are

still able to continue, owing to their relatively low standard of living. They are gradually absorbing the smaller European concerns. Their system of trading with the natives also constituted a grievance with the traders. Previously, the islanders were content to receive stores for their copra. Now they demand money.—A. and N.Z.