Against Removal Of Capital

Rabaul Merchants Against Removal Of Capital

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, July 11.

THERE was a fair attendance of resi dents at the meeting convened on July 1 by the Rabaul Business People and Property Owners’ Association. Elec tion of officers resulted: President. Mr. D.

S. Davies; Councillors. Messrs. Furter, Moore and Baden Jones: Secretary- Treasurer. Mr. R. H. Forsyth; and Hon.

Auditor, Mr. R. L. Kennedy.

After discussion, the meeting passed the following resolution which has been for warded to the authorities in Canberra; “The Association expresses indignation at the Government’s selection of Sala maua as the capital site for the Territorv which it deems to be most unsuitable from an economic and health viewpoint.

“The township of Salamaua is restricted in area, is swamny and would require exnensive reclamation work to be carried out. The harbour is indifferent and there are no agricultural possibilities in the district. The onlv means which sudthe town are the goldfields, whose life is uncertain, and seismic disturbances are becoming more regular there.

“The Association denlores the Mmister’s attitude in announcing that no compen sation or assistance will be forthcoming to the businessmen of Rabaul who re quire it. which is contrarv to indications given to the delegates which waited on him in Rabaul.

“The Association also urges that a pleb iscite should be taken amongst the Rabaul residents, the majoritv of whom n °‘ 2f£ OUS of . leaving Rabaul; the transfer of the capital site can therefore only be looked upon as a huge expen diture of public monev without any ten dency towards the Territory’s develop-