Port Moresby As Joint
p. 51 · Read in the full issue
Capital
Letter to the Editor IT has been suggested that Port Moresby be made the capital of New Guinea.
The idea is an excellent one, in view of the fact it is at present only able to carry on through Commonwealth financial assistance. As we have a surplus here in New Guinea, due to a royalty of 5% on gold —originally intended for road construc tion —we could materially assist Papua financially, and at the same time reduce expenditure here by incorporating the Papuan Civil Service, whose ability is now well-known.
Moreover, it would provide an outlet for our ever-growing native-born Chinese population, as Papua would provide won derful trading opportunities all over the country. Chinese carpenters, engineers, storekeepers, cooks, etc., would find Papua a wonderful field of operation.
The Chinese are good traders and, as a result, they would be an asset—even if they put a few European traders out of action.
We in New Guinea could expect some wonderful development under Papuan Administration, as their land laws are far ahead of anything we have in New Guinea, where every barrier is erected to make it difficult for settlers. Their ex ploits in opening up new country form interesting pages of history, which could be copied by New Guinea with advantage.
We have enough surplus to put in a wonderful water scheme and hydro elec tric scheme for Papua, both of which are so much needed at present.
As no attempts have been made by the Administration here to construct a road into tfie goldfields on their own, without
the pressure of the miners, it seems ob vious that they are not interested—not withstanding the fact the 5% royalty was imposed for that very purpose. They cer tainly have constructed a few roads in and around Wau, but the chief road into the fields has been neglected. If such a road is not to be constructed, then by all means use the money in another part of New Guinea where it is so much needed to provide essential services such as I have mentioned.
Port Moresby, without a doubt, would be a suitable site, and its Civil Admini stration could, I feel sure, develop New Guinea (Mandated Territory) in a way hitherto undreamed of.
I am etc.,
Karl Oscar Reinsardt.
Bulwa, T.N.G.
October 1, 1938.
Editorial Note. —The directory discloses no such person as Mr. Reinsardt, and it is apparent that the writer wrote with his tongue in his cheek. For all that, he makes some interesting points.
Mr. Charles Cleveland, of Messrs. Cleve land and Vidgen, Thursday Island, ar rived in Australia recently on leave.
Sister A. E. Samuels has resigned from the Melanesian Mission, following medi cal advice. She had been engaged in mis sion work in the New Hebrides for the past three years.