By Air Or By Road?

A Problem to be Solved by N.G. Miners

By Gordon Thomas

WAU, July 27.

OCULAR registration is imperative to appreciate fully the true position on the Morobe goldfields. Superlative ex pletives are quite incapable of conveying an idea of the true position in the world's most unique goldfield, where six years ago the pioneers were living under the most strenuous conditions, and where now I glance up from my writing table on the verandah of the Bulolo Hotel at Wau, and catch a glimpse of a merry party sipping cocktails or gimlets—or whatever they may be; while attractive women in pretty gowns form the greater part of the group.

Down the road two or three small children wander; a touring car swings to a standstill before the hotel; while up from the ’drome —that slopes away from the hotel—there come a couple of time tested gold-miners, with two “boys” following them and carrying suit cases. They have arrived “in” from “out,” and to-morrow they are going “up” from “down.” (“In” denotes Wau: “out” refers to the “beach” at Salamaua or Lae, and “up” is Edie Creek or the Kaindi coun try.) The two miners have become accus tomed to this new transportation. In 1927 it took them over a week of hard walking to reach Wau from the beach. To-day it takes them twenty minutes; and the record trip has been made in fourteen minutes! . . .

The Morobe goldfields are the greatest paradox of the present day. A cannibal’s son is seen stepping out of a Fox Moth ’plane; in the most inaccessible jungle the most up-to-date mining machinery is being installed; fresh meat is delivered at the miner’s door in the middle of the mainland of Mandated New Guinea; while primitive natives, who the day before were probably having a desultory tribal fight, crowd around and feel your clothes and touch your hand and gaze astonished at your leather feet.

Such is New Guinea of the present day, as a result of aerial transport.

The Morobe fields simply exude Modernity, Efficiency and Future Possi bilities.

Realising the importance of the prob lem of the proposed new road from the coast to the distributing centre of Wau, I tried to obtain from nearly every indi vidual and every interest with whom I came in contact some expression of opinion.

There were the pros and the cons. The former said: The country will never be properly developed so long as we have no main road to tap the territory lying between the two terminal points—Sala

maua or Lae, and Wau. Such a road will give us lower freight rates and in crease the population. We must look for ward to the future of the Territory. We must have vision and be far-seeing, and make the country accessible for the ag ricultural producer.

On the other hand I heard: The 'planes have been the making of the gold-mining industry, and their service has been effi cient and regular. We can reach local ities in a few minutes now which, even by good roads and motors, will take us

hours. ’Dromes have been laid down allover the fields and the daily services— even to out-of-the-way areas—have brought the isolated miner within touch of civilisation. A road costs money, and the money must be obtained from the miner; this will mean an increased royalty on the gold exported. We don’t want any increase in the royalty. Since 1928 we have been paying 5 per cent, for a road. We are now only having the Wau-Edie Creek road built after six years of increased taxation upon the miner, who already is carrying the rest of the Territory on his shoulders. The maintenance of the Coast road will be great, in order to ensure uninterrupted service to deliver freezer cargo and per ishable goods from the coast to Wau.

And, anyway, it is problematical as to whether road freights will be cheaper than aerial freights, bearing in mind the

fact that they are being reduced each year. The last government contract was let at 2d per lb. to the Carpenter ser vice.

Those are the two attitudes towards the road: Firstly the regard for opening

up country for primary agricultural pro duction and to ensure lower freight rates; secondly, the sublime confidence and sat isfaction in the aerial service which has developed the field, and the fear of an increased royalty on gold, together with the thought that road transport, under existing conditions may not be more econ omical than air rates.

Personally, I am easy on the matter at the present moment, for the details of how the cost of the road shall be borne have not been made public.

If a road, tapping country suitable for the development of primary products— which at the same time can be easily marketed —can be made without increas ing the present royalty, and which will enable miners and others to obtain goods with the same regularity and expeditious service, then it appears a good thing.

On the other hand if the country to be tapped is not suited for primary produc tion, with an easy market,, and road con struction means increased royalty (and bearing in mind that air-freights are on the drop), I can see no useful purpose to be served by the construction of a road for motor transport, when aerial transport can serve all the necessary re quirements.

Opinion on the fields is divided. The simplest solution would be a plebiscite.

If the road means more gold royalty, then it is certain that the answer will be “no.” It must not be forgotten that the increased royalty would possibly more than counterbalance the advantage of a lower freight rate —if there be one. Also, economy is a false policy if it is obtained at the sacrifice of efficiency.