Competition

Government

Protest from Papua

(To The Editor) Sir, —Possibly a little ventilation in your paper might remedy the griev ances of people who have spent their lives in the Territory of Papua.

At the present time, like the rest of the world, the people here are suffering from the terrible depression and, nat urally, this is felt the more keenly with a Government which does not represent them in any way—members being nominated only by the Lieuten ant Governor.

The Government competes with them and very often causes them grievous loss. At the present time this Gov ernment is sawmilling, notwithstand ing that there is a mill in the Terri tory which has recently gone into liquidation. The Government vessels ply and carry cargoes, causing shippers grievous injury. All magistrates, now, are traders, and have to collect copra, etc.; without doubt they use the powers that are vested in them to stop the trader from making a living. It must be remembered that many of these traders have developed some of our best plantations, which are the only assets this country has, to carry on to-day. Is it right or fair, in a country like this, that all business should be interfered with by those who are as sured of their salaries each month and a pension at the end of twenty years’ service, with copious leaves?

Many men here, old residents, are at the present moment entirely without work and, in many cases, without homes. Surely people who have no vote, and are white, need as much protection as Brown Brother.

I am, etc.,

Fair Play.

Port Moresby, 12th March, 1931.