Amalgamation

Committee Commences Inquiry

THE Australian Federal Committee set up to inquire into the plan to amal gamate the Australian Territory of Papua and the Mandated Territory of New Guinea (Messrs. F. W. Eggleston, H. Leonard Murray and H. O. Towns end). commenced work in Canberra early in May. It sat in Sydney on May 11 and 12 and received statements on evidence.

The committee sailed from Sydney by the “Macdhui” on May 13, and will con tinue in that vessel around the two Territories until her final call at Rabaul on June 5.

Under this itinerary as above, the com

mittee will be at the following places on the dates indicated:—

The committee proposes to remain in Rabaul until June 9, when it is intended to proceed to the mainland and Papua, arriving at Port Moresby towards the middle of June. From Port Moresby the committee will visit Samarai and Misi ma and, probably, Yule Island.

The committee will be prepared to hear evidence from any individuals or organisations in the centres visited, and a memorandum in triplicate setting out the views to be expressed should be fur nished to the committee. Persons who desire to express their views, and who are unable to attend at any of the cen tres mentioned, are invited to furnish their views in writing to the commit tee.

It is not proposed to take evidence at Wau until the committee returns to that district on June 9.

Mr. A. C. English, of Rigo, Papua, re turned to the Territory by the April “Macdhui”.

Mr. G. O. Higgins, who has been gen eral manager of P.O.D. Co., Papua, will leave shortly for England, on transfer.

He will be accompanied by Mrs. Higgins.

Rabaul 25/26 Kavieng May 27 Salamaua-Lae .. *5 May 29/30 Madang-Alexishafen .. May 21 Salamaua .. June 1 Finschafen 1 Pondo .. June 3 Rabaul 5