Rich New Guinea

Belated Statistics Show An Increasing Revenue

OECAUSE of the ridiculous system under which the public accounts of Territories under mandate are kept hid den for about a year, the financial con dition of New Guinea as on June 30, 1936, was made public only at the end of June, 1937. The figures therefore are of little value —they are modified by any thing that has happened in the interven ing twelve months.

For the year ended June 30, 1936, the surplus was £40,954, How it has happened is thus shown:

There has been speculation, as to what the Administration will do with its accumulated surplus. Before the eruption, it was generally believed that the construction of the Salamaua-Wau road would be undertaken. But the eruption costs must have bitten a large hole in the Administrator’s nest-egg.

However, the Administrator, wisely, is taking the opportunity to solve his trans port difficulty. Two 70ft. patrol boats for the use of officials have been built in Sydney; and the Minister for Territories (Canberra) is making inquiries at pre sent in Europe and America “for a suit* able, secondhand steam yacht for the Administrator of New Guinea.”

The Governor of Fiji (Sir Arthur Richards) delivering an address, after having laid the foundation stone of the new block of Government buildings in Suva, on May 12. Lady Richards is shown seated, and holding a bouquet.

Revenue From Taxes

1935 1936 £ £ Customs and export duty 155,651 166,378 Licenses 10,097 10.899 Native head tax 19,805 19,641 Native labour taxes 17,786 19,529 Stamp duties 8,715 5,688 Gold royalty 88,232 81,168 Total revenue from all soures 388,171 419.919 Other comparative figures are ; — 1935 1936 Gold exported, value ... £1,897,244 £1,704,498 Gold exported, oz 299,757 302.619 Copra exported, value £361,413 £761,309 Copra exported, tons 56,251 66,684 Total exports, value... £2,340,624 £2.573.251 Total imports, value... £948,404 £1,290,788