Papuan Legislative Council Makes New Laws

Relief For Native Labour Employers. — Superannuation Fund and P.S. Privileges Cause Brisk Discussion.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Port Moresby, July 16.

THE non-official members of the Legislative Council are in Port Moresby for the annual meeting of the Council.

They comprise the Hon. J G.

Nelsson, and the Hon. A. H. Bunting, from Samarai; the Hon. Arthur Jewell, from Lolorua; and the Rev. Lister- Turner, from the west of Papua.

The session opened on July 11, when His Excellency, the Lieut.-Governor, presided, and all members, both official and non-official, were present. The Hon. Rev. Lister-Turner took his seat for the first time on the Council, being the newly appointed member to repre sent Christian missions.

A Bill was passed to amend the Arms, Liquor and Opium Prohibition Ordinance. The amendment dealt with “shooting boys” in particular, with drawing the direct control of the person named in the Arms Permit, while the “shooting boy” is on duty.

Bills to amend the Land Ordinance, Native Taxes, and Electric Light and Power Ordinances were introduced; also a Bill to amend the Stamp Duties Ordinance. These were passed, with the exception of the Land Ordinance.

The Treasurer (Hon. E. C. Harris) submitted estimates for the current year, showing revenue at £129,502, and expenditure at £130,919.

The Bill to amend the Native Tax ation Ordinance, which was passed, provides for the release of a native im prisoned for non-payment of tax, on tendering the amount due, during im prisonment.

Native Labour.

The Commissioner for Native Affairs, in reply to the Hon. J. G. Nelsson, in regard to the additional fee imposed last year upon the signing on of native labour, stated it was the intention of the Government to abolish the fee.

This regulation was put into force last year. It added to the charge of 6/on making a contract of service with a native, a further charge of 3d. in the £ on the amount the native earned under the contract, bringing the fee for the signing-on of a native at 10/a month, for two years, up to 9/-. This measure was in addition to a former one, whereby employers unable to pro cure assured guarantees must pay their wages in advance, together with the native’s return passage to his village.

The measure, at the time, caused no little comment from planters and em ployers of native labour, and it will be a relief to them to learn of its withdrawal. At the time, the Govern ment announced the fee was to be placed to the credit of a separate fund, to provide against possible default by employers in the payment of their wages, and that it was an additional precaution only.

In the course of his budget speech, the Treasurer announced the Govern ment’s intention to remove the primage

tax from imports of rice and tinned meats.

This last measure, together with the removal of the labour fee, will be thoroughly appreciated by all em ployers of native labour, who have had an extremely difficult time the last year—with rubber and copra so low in market value.

Samarai Hospital.

Reference was made to the condition of the Samarai Hospital. The Hon. J.

G. Nelsson protested in regard to its neglect, and hopeless condition. The Director of Public Works (the Hon. A.

P. Lyons) stated that an examination of the building would be made, and if the repairs required more than the sum voted in the estimates, the erec tion of a new hospital would be considered.

Leave Allowances And

Superannuation Fund.

The question of long leave for the members of the civil service came be fore the Council, also the question of the reduction of deferred leave al lowance.

The Hon. J. G. Nelsson, unofficial member, saw no need of the former, and stated that the latter could be reduced a good deal. As regards the reduction of salaries of the service, Mr.

Nelsson said all the unofficial members would regret the necessity, but he con

sidered economies could be carried out in regard to long leave and deferred leave allowances during the present financial difficulties of the Territory.

Mr. Nelsson also pointed out that in the estimates, a payment of £3,250 from the revenue was granted to the super annuation fund, which he considered unwarranted. He failed to see why the public should be called upon to stand such an expenditure. It was a matter concerning public servants themselves, and it was never contem plated that it would be necessary to meet this expenditure out of revenue.

Mr. Nelsson pointed out that every member of the community had to make sacrifices up to date, except

public servants, and he considered that they should be only too pleased to bear the larger share of supporting the deficit in the superannuation fund.

The Hon. J. T. O’Malley, Commis sioner of Native Affairs, replying, said that up to the present time officers of the civil service had taken their full share by direct contributions from salaries and had paid £49,591 into the fund. Together with interest, this amounted to £69,354. In comparison, the public, who got loyal and efficient service, had contributed only £2,600 to the fund. He considered the officers of the service had done their full share.

The Hon. Arthur Jewell, unofficial member, expressed the view that no one wished to withhold any privileges from the public servants, but he con sidered, as the scheme was for their benefit entirely, it seemed the weak ness in the scheme was due to low contributions to the fund during the period of service.

Later in the discussion, Mr. O’Malley said the whole scheme was inaugurated by the Government, for the primary purpose of securing efficient, loyal, and continuous service. It was never in tended that the scheme would be sup ported solely by contributions of officers from their salaries. The officers were called upon to contribute 5 per cent, from their salaries, and the Government took the share of the financial responsibility by having the fund guaranteed by the public re venue. This responsibility, the Govern ment was legally bound to meet, when ever the necessity arose.