Papua's Reaction To

Merger Plan

A MAN, usually well-informed, who re cently visited Port Moresby, writes; Amalgamation with the Territory of New Guinea seems to be approaching.

Members of a committee of five have been nominated in Port Moresby and it looks as though the matter is decided.

The only real feeling there is adverse to it. The scheme has a lot of professing supporters, but they are those who always welcome a change of any kind, and none of them have the least idea of what kind of changes they expect. Burns, Philp are said to dislike it and fear it. Steamships Trading Co., look sideways at it. Civil servants hate it. The “Papuan Courier” supports it enthusiastically but probably does not know what it means.

The dangers to Papua seem to be land laws, labour laws, customs tariff, and gold royalties; and, of course, there are a num ber of rather vague directions in which the change may be hurtful.

But at least it appears now that full en quiries will be made and the situation ex amined thoroughly.