N.G. Soldiers’ League

Good Work Accomplished Relief for Planters

From Our New Guinea Correspondent RABAUL, February 10.

THE report read at the annual meet ing of the New Guinea branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A., covering the past six months, deserves, in view of the extra ordinary good work that has been accomplished, more than ordinary notice.

It is practically entirely due to the activities of 'the Returned Soldiers’

League and to the representations made to the authorities in Australia that such material relief was granted to returned soldier planters during the latter part of last year.

The Custodian of Expropriated Pro perties has definitely written-off the interest for one year on the unpaid balance due to him this alone repre sents a saving of approximately £115,000. Further, the suspension of all payments in respect of instalments for the period July 1, 1930, to June 30, 1931, was secured.

The merchants have also agreed to reduce their finance rate of interest from 8 per cent, to 6 per cent., which is a very liberal concession.

The President of the Branch (Mr. D.

M. Forsyth) visited Australia in the interests of returned soldier planters and reported that he has the assurance of the Federal Government and the Custodian that, should the price of copra remain at its present low level, the matter of an extension of the sus pension of payments will be favourably considered.

The President also reported that the League has the assurance of the Prime Minister that, when the time comes for instalments to recommence, consid eration will be given to the adjustment of prices paid by returned soldiers for their properties.

Proposal To Form Sub Branch

The New Guinea Branch of the R.S.

S.I.L.A. is now devoting so much atten tion, and with a great measure of suc cess, to the interests of their planter members that it is proposed to form a sub-branch to deal solely with mat ters affecting planting.

The local Branch of the League is anxious to erect a Memorial Hall in Rabaul, and for this purpose a fund was started a year ago. No great pro gress has been made in securing the sum required for building a suitable hall, chiefly due to the lean times through which we have been passing.

A ball was arranged recently which was highly successful and which will appreciably increase the fund.

The Administrator is very sympath etic to the project and has promised the support of the Administration to secure a suitable site.

The suggestion has been made that, if the Hall was used to house the local Museum, the Administration would supply a caretaker and undertake to keep the building in repair.

At the meeting, Mr. D. M. Forsyth was re-elected President, and Messrs F. L. Flannery and R. A. Laws were elected Vice-Presidents for the ensuing year.