Administration

Entry Forbidden

Final Reply From N.G.

Administration To Enterprise N.L.

AFTER the application by Enterprise of N.G. Gold and Petroleum N.L. for a permit to search for oil in Central N.G. had been refused, in August, because the area affected was “uncontrolled,” Messrs.

S. E. Watkin and Harold Taylour (direc tor and manager respectively) proceeded personally to Rabaul and made urgent representations to the Administrator.

At the end of October, the Co. was informed by the Administrator that nothing could be done. The area which the Co. wished to prospect was in the “uncontrolled” region, which no prospect ing concern was allowed to enter; and it probably would remain “uncontrolled” for some years to come.

The Co.’s shares on the Stock Ex change thereupon fell from 42/6 to 20/-.

Enterprise is a genuine Australian company, which deserves encouragement, rather than the series of “kicks in the teeth” which it has received from Can berra and Rabaul during the last six months. We understand and sympathise with the principles behind the “uncon trolled area” system; but, in many quarters, there is a strong suspicion that this system is being used to cloak official inertia and a lack of any developmental policy worthy of the name. Australian men and money are eager to get into this country and develop it, and it is unfortunate that they get so little encouragement from the gentlemen in authority. In the circumstances sooner or later it seems inevitable that that authority will be challenged.

The memorial stones, left by the British and American scientific (solar eclipse) expeditions on Canton Island, which started the silly report that both countries were trying to “grab” the terri tory. The United Slates Government has never questioned Britain’s ownership of Canton Island. (Photo by courtesy of Chas. Reed, Apia.)