Papua Can Grow First-Class

Sugar

Experts Report Favourably on Project for Establishing Large-scale New Industry in Territory ... ———

The reports of experts who have been recently in Papua, reporting on various sugar-growing projects, is that natural conditions in Papua are almost ideal for the cultivation of the very best kind of sugar. All that are wanted to make the industry a success there are adequate capital and good management.

One of the first signs of the passing of the economic depression will be the active commencement of sugar-growing in the Territory on a big scale.

It is emphasised that there are several indigenous varieties of sugar-cane in Papua; that there is a sufficient supply of cheap native labour there; and that, while the world as a whole produces an abundance of sugar, the Empire does not grow enough for its own needs. The latter point is important, as some far-reaching system of inter-imperial preferences appears to be developing. ... ——— From Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby. Nov. 30.

THE possibility of Papua becoming a successful sugar-growing country is an idea that seems to have taken hold of investors, not only in the Territory but also in Australia and in countries further afield.

Representatives of apparently sound financial interests in New Zealand are at present in Papua and are investigating the conditions of the country, the labour, the soil and the rainfall, in relation to the possibilities of successful sugar-growing. They have just completed an extensive inspection of the South Coast, as far as Dedele, and the country to the north-east, near Buna, together with an aerial survey of the disrict near the Brown river, an affluent of the Laloki, not far from Port Moresby.

It has been mentioned often before that to rely entirely upon the export of copra and rubber in Papua is to ask for trouble. It would be quite pleasing, therefore, to see a new industry rising quickly in our midst, acting as a fillip to the territory in these lean and difficult days.

Tobacco And Other Crops

The tobacco, which is being grown on the Laloki, is still in its initial stages.

Nurseries have been planted and the young plants, which have successfully evaded the attacks of pests, after in tensive care, will be soon ready for planting out in the fields.

Coffee is still progressing and improving and though little is heard of the awakened interest in sisal hemp, there is every hope that the Commonwealth Hemp Corporation Ltd. will soon start developmental operations.

Copra, now back at £14 a ton, is more promising and many of the down hearted planters are breathing again, after the very severe time they have had lately, when their profits were absolutely negligible.

Hard-Pressed Traders

The people who have suffered mostly are those we hear so little about—the Fine types of North-east Papuan na tives who are expected to do well as head-boys for sugar plantation labour gangs.

traders outside. They find it impossible to buy nuts or copra—the natives will not sell. They cannot buy trade goods for, owing to lack of employment, they have no money. So the traders have been forced to rely on their own resources which, in a country such as Papua, are mostly conspicuous by their absence. ===