N.G. Goldfield Road: Would It Reduce Transport Costs?

Department in Western Samoa in December.

N.G. Goldfield Road

Would It Reduce Transport Costs?

FOR years now the construction of a road from Wau to Salamaua has been under discussion.

Parts of the road location were surveyed years ago and, as recently as twelve months ago, a graded mule track was taken out as far as the Black Cat by a Government party. There the matter rested, as far as the public were concerned, until it was learned recently that another survey on the Wau-Salamaua location had been completed.

This has given rise to speculation as to the possibility of a road being made after all. Many think that road transport would under no circumstances be able to compete with the already low aerial freight rate of a little over 2d. per pound. Others maintain that road transport would pay at as low a figure as Jd. per lb., in view of the fact that the road is alleged to be no more than 52 miles in length and the grade not exceeding one foot in eleven.

The newly-formed Morobe Chamber of Mines circularised its members early in January, and urged, “as the only means to reduce transport costs,” the construction of a vehicular road between Wau and Salamaua; and it suggested that representations be made to the Administration.

A well-known resident of New Guinea, and one of the biggest individual purchasers of freight, was in Sydney in January, and was shown the Chamber of Mines’ circular.

“A road will be a waste of public money,” he declared. “I am buying freight from -the aeroplane companies at a shade over 2d. per pound. My stuff is handled safely, and very quickly. The aerial transport companies cannot operate for less than present rates and, in any event, we cannot carry on without them.

“We want the lowest possible transport costs: but we must be fair and reasonable.

Twopence per pound is the lowest we can expect.

“I know that some of them will work it out that a road will allow goods to be brought in for a half-penny to a penny per pound. That is a delusion.

“The cost of constructing a road will be very high; and the cost of maintenance in that country will be enormous. The community will have to pay, in some shape or form, for both capital cost and maintenance. Motor transport also will itself be costly, and, in comparison with aerial transport, it will be slow and will represent much extra handling.

“If a road had been put in in the beginning, it might have given us some advantage in transport. But, with aerial transport now stabilised and giving us cheap