Mission Trading In

New Guinea.

[Letter to the Editor ] I have read with interest the letters of your various contributors about Mission Trading, and now let me kindly add my little squeal.

I have been trading for three years in the Markham Valley, New Guinea, where I am opposed by two Lutheran mission stations, one at Kayapit and one at Gabsonki. When Mr. E. A. Feldt was District Officer here and was en route to the Ramu disturbances I placed my case before him and he declined to issue licences to the missions men tioned. Later the missions appealed to the Administrator and have since been granted trading-licences. I am enclos ing the reply to my objection to these licences.

It is useless for these missions to say they do not trade. Their prices are dearer than mine, but they have more influence over the natives, and do not hesitate to use it to foster trade.

I have been compelled to close my Antiragin store on account of mission opposition. A missionary receives £40 per annum and found; the transport officer receives £10 per annum and found; missions receive a great quan tity of their goods in donations from Germany and America. So how can a trader be expected to survive against them ?

I think the missions should be com pelled by law to confine themselves to the spiritual welfare of the natives and thus put an end to such companies as “The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ltd.” of Kokopo and the “Lutheran Mission Stores” of Finch-hafen and its branches.

I am, etc.,

Clement Hendry.

Sangan, N.G., Dec. 20, 1932.

The enclosed letter from the District Officer at Salamaua to Mr. Hendry is dated December 14, 1932, and reads;— “Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of 5th instant, in which you lodge an objection to trading licences being granted to the Lutheran Missions in respect of their properties at Gab sonki and Kayapit.

“In reply I have to advise that the Missions are, by law, entitled to trade on certain properties and, conse quently, when they apply for trading licenses for such properties same are issued.”