Payment.”

“New Basis Of

For N.G. Soldier-Planters.

7 1 Minister in Charge of Territories (Sir George Pearce) announced in Canberra on March 10 that it had been decided to alter the basis of payment by purchasers of expropriated properties in New Guinea. Whatever the market price of copra might be from time to time, the purchasers under the new arrangement would be able to reduce their indebtedness to the Federal Government, and also profit ably conduct the plantations.

It was felt, added the Minister, that action by the Federal Government alone would not be fully effective in placing the planters on a satisfactory footing, and it was hoped that the firms that had assisted to finance the planters would be able sub stantially to reduce the payments required to be made to them. Negotiations were in train with that object in view.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The latter paragraph is interesting. It is recalled that Sir Walter Car penter, many months ago, said that if the Com monwealth Government would relieve the soldier planters of some portion of their capital indebted ness, his firm would make a proportionate adjust ment regarding debts owed by the planters. The Minister, unfortunately, has omitted to state how the basis of payment is to be altered. Does he mean reappraisement?