Chinese Artisans

Not Enough for New Guinea’s Needs

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, July 27.

THE Hon. J. C. Mullaly, M.L.C., a mem ber of the R.S. and 5.1.L.A., at the annual meeting of the Rabaul branch, pointed out the difficulty he had person ally experienced in obtaining the services of Chinese artisans for work upon his coconut estate, and he declared that it was impossible to engage competent Asiatic artisans.

During the discussion it was stated that although there were scores of un employed Asiatics in Chinatown they were not qualified artisans and could be classed as “unemployable.”

Mr. Mullaly then moved that the Ad ministration be approached with the request to import, under indenture, Chinese artisans to meet the require ments of present conditions.

The resolution was carried.

EDITORIAL NOTE: It is indeed surprising to find such a proposal coming- from such a source.

The idea of introducing more Chinese into New Guinea would be bitterly resisted in Australia — New Guinea, surely has a sufficient Asiatic popu lation. If New Guinea-born Chinese are not good workmen and artisans that surely is the fault of the New Guinea education system: and the remedy is obvious. See that the younger Chinese are given adequate technical education and so are made “employable.”

Rev. R. L. Walker, accompanied by his wife and son, arrived in Fiji by the Aorangi on July 26 to take charge of St.

Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Suva,