"Monopolies" In
p. 34 · Read in the full issue
N. Guinea
Grave Statement By Local Newspaper
A STATEMENT which should not be allowed to pass without notice was made by the “Rabaul Times” in an editorial on June 24.
A resident of New Guinea, domiciled there since 1921, and a returned soldier, writing in an Australian newspaper, said that British residents in New Guinea would not object to the territory being returned to Germany, “as they might get better treatment under the German flag than under the Australian Man date”.
The “Rabaul Times” seeks the cause of dissatisfaction, and concludes:— “To many interested parties the an swer may be quite clear, owing to the monopolistic tendencies of the local firms, and the apparent support through negative action which they are receiving from the mandatory power.
There was a time when the New Guinea planter had the advantage of a local moratorium ordinance; this, however, was tossed aside a few years ago, and at the present time no protection is offered to the man on the land when prices of produce decline.
“The German policy was, apparent ly, to induce the private individual to take up land and develop the Territory to the best advantage. Can we consci entiously say that the policy of the pre sent Government is to foster that same principle?”
The newspaper refers to the acute la bour troubles in the Territory (dealt with in the June issue of the P.1.M.), and says:— “We can only think that the reason the New Guinea resident makes such a suggestion is that he is thoroughly dis satisfied with local conditions under which he is forced to live; that the ex ploitation he is subjected to, and the lack of support he receives from Gov ernment sources to alleviate the posi tion is so small, that he considers any change would be better than present conditions.”
EDITORIAL NOTE. That virtual monopolies do exist in New Guinea is beyond doubt. Individuals with limited capital have little chance of trading in competition with big concerns which con trol transport, and get the benefits of mass buying. But the position is no worse in New Guinea than it is in Aus tralia and other countries, where trusts and monopolies now control almost every kind of commercial activity, and dictate their own terms. This will be known to future historians as “the Era of Money Power”. No one can foretell how and when it will end. It is an evil —but it at least has this good quality, that it makes for financial stability. The De pression would have completely destroyed all worth-while assets in the Islands, if it had not been for the financial strength of the big firms.
Captain Gray, T.T. harbor master), has been transferred to Bundaberg, Queensland. Captain F. Melton, of Mac kay, Q., has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Roberts, of Sala maua, N.G., are receiving congratulations on the birth of a second son. Mr. Rob erts is manager of B.P.’s Salamaua branch.