Chinese In New
p. 77 · Read in the full issue
Guinea
Not Wanted as Agriculturists
IN keeping with past policy a protest has been made to the Administration against the granting to Asiatics of agri • cultural leases in areas already settled by European agriculturists, records the Exe cutive Committee of the N.G. Planters’ As sociation in its recent annual report.
The contention was again urged that if. at all, such settlement is to be made it should be in areas in the Territory speci ally set aside for the purpose. In reply it has been stated: “Agriculture is one of the few indus tries in New Guinea in which Asiatics may be absorbed with advantage to themselves and to the Territory and the taking up of land by Asiatics should bo encouraged, but it is hardly likely that Asiatics could be induced to form group settlements in remote areas where it may be expected transport facilities would be difficult and expensive and trade perhaps practically non-existent, without inaugurating some form of financial assistance.
“In the absence of such a scheme it would then appear that each case should be considered on its merits, having re gard to the proximity of European plantations, and any objections brought forward by European planters.”
The Association disagrees with this policy and contends, on the contrary, that until such time as every possible avenue has been exploited to encourage agricultural settlement of the Territory with Australian and other British capital, Asiatics should not be encouraged to take up land, but should be obliged to work at wages com mensurate with their qualifications, as an alternative to deportation as undesirables.
At the Planters’ Association’s annual conference at Rabaul between August 3 and August 8, a resolution was passed stat ing that in the event of the Administration adopting a policy for the establishment of Asiatics in agricultural pursuits it should: (1) Ensure that any such establishment is in areas which are not likely to be con tiguous with European plantations and settlements. (2) Not charge any portion of the Terri torial revenue with the cost of such estab lishment. (3) Ensure the strictest supervision over any such establishment. (4) Ensure that the largest area allowed will not exceed 50 ha., which would more than allow reasonable living conditions for a reasonable-sized family.