Cost Of Taylor
p. 64 · Read in the full issue
Patrol
Report of £30,000 Debit for New Guinea Finances
AS the Administration of the Mandated Territory is now apparently being carried on at a loss, there is criticism in the Territory of the report that the Taylor Patrol —through the unexplored portion of the mainland that lies between Mount Hagen and the Dutch border—has cost in the vicinity of £30,000.
It was a large patrol, but the party comprised mostly native police and car riers—there were only three Europeans— and although it has been away on this special job for about a year, it is diffi
cult to see how £30,000 expenditure could have been incurred.
The explanation probably is that the Administration has been lavish in the use of aeroplanes, in order to maintain communication with the patrol. The local critics have it that some communication by aeroplane was necessary, but that the Administration seemed to be glad of any excuse for chartering a ’plane. It is stated, for instance, that when the ex pedition arrived at Wabag recently, on its return trip, the Administrator (who then was in the Morobe district) chartered a ’plane and flew all the way over to Wabag to have a chat with Mr. Taylor and his associates. Why, ask the critics, could he not have made use of the patrol’s tele radio equipment, which apparently has functioned with great efficiency during the whole of the expedition.
As a matter of fact, an outstanding feature of the expedition has been the success of the teleradio equipment. There have been very few days, during the year’s absence of the, expedition, when the leader of the patrol, Mr. Taylor, has not been in teleradio communication with the Administrator.
No one is attempting to belittle the notable performances of the patrol. But if its cost actually is in the vicinity of £30,000, a good deal is going to be heard about it from the financial angle.