Moro Movement - The Collection and The Census

The Collection and The Census

Sums of money were collected from followers at the orders of Moro, through the ‘census’. One shilling was called for to aid the cause. In addition to the census contribution, a ‘collection’ was also instituted. This is one pund from each adult male and 10 shillings from each adult female. Another contribution was in shell currency which is kept at the House of Antiquities at Makaruka.

The movement's financial worth in 1990 was estimated at between 20 and 30 thousand SI dollars, including the value of the shell money. There has never been any attempt to use of bank this money though. It is owned by Moro who does not use it either. Alluvial gold is also given free by followers to Moro.

With some of the money collected, some relatively large scale commercial endeavors were begun, including stores at Makaruka, a piggery, a plantation, a school and even a taxi in Honiara. Most of these ventures have collapsed.

The panning of alluvial gold was also an encouraged activity for members of the movement. This brought them into direct conflict with the large mining companies. However, most of the land owners where the mining companies operate in Central Guadalcanal, are also Moro Movement members and so are benefiting from the mining.