Gold Royalty

For Papua

Bill Passed at Legislative Council’s Annual Session

From Our Own Correspondent

Pt. Moresby, Aug. 20.

’T'HE Legislative Council of Papua com- A menced its annual sittings on Aug. 9.

In the absence of Sir Hubert Murray (due to an accident to his eye), the Government Secretary (Hon. H. W.

Champion) presided until the following week when the Governor, having suffi ciently recovered, took the Chair.

Members present were Hons. W. M.

Strong, H. L. Murray, J. T. O’Malley, E.

C. Harris, J. G. Nelsson, A. Jewell, T.

Nevitt, and Rev. R. L. Turner.

Among the various bills introduced during the session, a measure relating to Customs duties caused some surprise.

It provides for the imposition of a royalty up to five per cent ad valorem on all gold won from the Territory, at such rate as the Governor may from time to time proclaim. The royalty will come into force on a date to be fixed by the Administrator.

In reply to objections to the imposition of a gold royalty, it was pointed out that royalties are imposed in nearly every gold producing country in the world. Amend ments to the bill were not discussed, and it passed all stages and was assented to.

Public Servants’ Investments

Before the Supplementary Estimates for the past year and the Estimates for 1937-8 were presented and discussed, a bill was introduced to limit investment by public servants in companies carrying on business in the territory. It states that no officer, without permission in writing from the Governor, may directly or indirectly hold shares or other pecuni ary interest in any public company in Papua. Shares held in the name of an officer’s wife shall be deemed indirectly to be held by him. Officers contravening the provisions of this Ordinance are liable to suspension.

Port Moresby Water Supply

In regard to the question of a water supply for Port Moresby, the Council was informed that His Excellency had already communicated with Canberra re newing the application for a loan. No answer had as yet been received to this request.

A bill to amend the Petroleum (Min ing) Ordinance was also passed. It deals with purely technical and formal amend ments.

Mr. A. J. Strathearn, of the Supreme Court, Rabaul, New Guinea, arrived in Sydney by the August Malaita on his way to South Australia to spend two

months’ holiday.

Mr. G. H. Massey-Baker, of Kerema, Papua, who has been in Port Moresby Hospital for some time, arrived in Aus tralia by the Marella in mid-August to undergo medical treatment.