N.G. Planters’

Grievances.

Letter to the Editor.

WHEN the new Legislative Council was elected much was said and asked as to what benefits it would perform and whether in the face of many diffi culties such as “red tape” and the whims of granny League of Nations, anything much would be accomplished. The sur mise was that the unofficial members would be to a certain extent muzzled by the official members. That is vet to be seen.

Whatever the position, most of us hoped to see something in the way of more Public Works. But the first move by unofficial members in Council was to start raising salaries. This has met with some severe criticism. We should certainly like to hear some reasons for such a move in these times, with copra under £10 London and likely to go down further.

If members had moved for reductions, as in other parts, and at the same time conforming with commercial, mining, planting and other interests, where wages and salaries have been drasti cally reduced, they would be doing some benefit to the Territory. Certainly, the Territory shows a surplus; but taxes are not levied to pay high salaries only.

It must be agreed that the Government official, despite his many discomforts, is receiving a salary that is generous, com pared with earnings of men in non sheltered jobs. How many planters, and others, with large sums sunk in business in the Territory, have been failing to make even the salary of a junior clerk —and no holidays at all, and none in view?

The Territory now draws the major portion of its revenue from its gold fields. Those fields are wasting assets and qualified men give them a life of fifteen years—some go as low as ten years, for the bigger fields to cut out.

The Government has to prepare for that time. The present outlook for copra grows worse.

What of this iniquitous education tax?

It suffered a change of name, but it still remains the same and is still the shilling per month on labour. Why should Mis sions, which are nothing but trading concerns, be free from the tax? Why does the Government give orders that everything possible be done for the Mis sions? Are they the main support of the Territory? What about something being done for the many other concerns that spend large sums here in the ad vancement of the Territory, instead of placing so many obstacles in their way?

There are many grievances to be remedied before you start raising salaries, Mr. Legislative Councillor!

With the advent of our present Ad ministrator, the majority of us view the Council as being more or less super fluous. We must certainly compliment General Griffiths on the vast and bene ficial improvement he has brought about since his arrival, and in face of the present depressed general conditions — an improvement in more ways than one, long- since wanted and not before time.

I am, etc..

Planter.

Madang, 16/9/’33.