Asiatic Coal?
p. 40 · Read in the full issue
A New Guinea Transaction.
ASTONISHMENT has been expressed in official and commercial circles in Sydney at a notice which appeared in the New Guinea Government Gazette of April 20, indicating that the Govern ment has purchased coal from the Ger man steamer “Bremerhaven” at 55/- per ton. This apparently is Chinese or Jap anese coal, and it is regarded as an as tounding thing that such a transaction should occur in view of the fact that New Guinea is an Australian Territory and that so many Australian coal mines are idle.
An enquiry is now being made in Can berra in regard to the matter.