Fight for New Guinea Trade

Australian, German, and Japanese Interests

THE non-receipt on August 31 of any tenders for the mail and shipping services between Australia and the Wes tern Pacific Islands (carried on for years by Messrs. Burns, Philp and Co.) caused surprise. The period for tendering was extended by Canberra to September 30.

It is believed that the delay has been caused by the new shipping law in New Guinea—and especially by the recent amendment, which gives the Administra tor power to license the German ships to trade between other than declared ports after January 1.

It is understood that Australian in terests declined to tender until they re ceived some assurance concerning future shipping and trading conditions in the Mandated Territory.

The issues involved are of great im portance. German interests are doing their utmost to hold on to the trade they have in New Guinea. Japanese interests have made urgent application to be given the same facilities there as the Germans.

The Commonwealth Government, as part of its general policy of conserving South Seas trade for British-Australian inter ests, decided early this year to limit the operations of the German ships (which run between Hong Kong and New Guinea) after December 31; but is now thought to be weakening on that decision.