Rabaul's Future.

Extraordinary Delay In Selection of Committee.

WHEN the Administrator of New Guinea (Sir Walter McNicoll) sailed from Sydney for Rabaul on De cember 15, it was clearly understood that the Federal Government, within a day or two, would announce the names of the committee which was to be set up to select a site for a new capital for the Mandated Territory.

The terms of the report made by the expert vulcanologists allowed neither of argument nor delay. They strongly emphasised the danger of maintaining the administrative capital in Rabaul.

Canberra itself acknowledged that noth ing more was to be done, except to find another Administration site'.

Weeks passed, and nothing happened.

Finally, about January 10, someone be gan to ask questions. It was then dis covered that the new Minister for the Territories (Mr. W. M. Hughes) was resting at Palm Beach and expected that his colleagues would nominate the committee. His colleagues said they were waiting on Mr. Hughes.

The Prime Minister (Mr. J. A.

Lyons) gave some indication of annoy ance, and proceeded forthwith to select a committee. It was stated in “Sydney Morning Herald” of January 11 that the committee probably would consist of Mr. R. Halligan (Prime Minister’s Department), Mr. W. C. Thomas (for merly Custodian of Expropriated Pro perties), and another—probably a sur veyor-engineer from New Guinea.

A number of leading residents of New Britain and New Ireland are strongly protesting to the Federal Government against the proposal of re moving the Administration from Rabaul.

Their views are being presented to the Government by Mr. W. E. Grose, an in fluential New Guinea planter.

Mr. Hughes announced on January 22 that the committee would be appointed on January 27.

However, there is no official announce ment to indicate the cause of the extra ordinary delay.

Meanwhile, Vulcan has given Rabaul a further reminder of present-day con ditions. There was a sharp earthquake at 1.25 a.m. on January 8, which was felt in Rabaul, Kerevat, Toma, and Kokopo. Though lasting less than . secs., its intensity was severe. There was a smaller tremor at 5.30 a.m.

In the meantime, there is speculation concerning the merits of Salamaua, Madang, Gasmata, and various other expected and unexpected places. One tip, “right out of the horse’s mouth”, is the tableland at the back of Madang —Madang to be used as the port of the new capital, while the new capital itself, placed in or near the famous Ramu Valley, will serve to open the way to the rich central N.G. tablelands.