Grants For Papua.

Request to Australia.

“I UNDERSTAND that the Prime Minister has received a wireless message asking for the restoration of the Papuan grant, as promised to the people of Papua by a previous Minister for Home and Territories,” said Mr. Wat kins, in the Federal Parliament on Oc tober 18.

“This grant was reduced from £50,000 to £34,000; but, in view of the hard ships being experienced by many planters, it should be restored. Will the Government take steps to ensure that the residents of the Territory of Papua are treated at least as liberally as those residing in territory held under man date for other nations?”

The Minister (Major Marr) replied as follows; “The grant to Papua was re duced from £40,000 to £34,000 by the present Government, the reduction from £50,000 to £40,000 having been made by a previous government. The present Gov ernment recognizes the position of the people of Papua, and is giving considera tion to the problem which confronts them, and to the suggestion that the grant should be restored to the original amount. In addtion to the grant of £34,000 last year, a grant was also made in regard to the production of rubber.

That grant has been renewed, the cur rent estimates showing an amount of £30,000 set aside for this purpose, al though, as the duty on rubber has been reduced from 4d. to 2d. per lb., the amount may need to be reduced.