Gold industry Gets Raw Deal in

New Guinea

MR. R. A. LAWS, of Wau, New Guinea, in a letter in the “Rabaul Times”, argues that if the authorities would only get on with their plan to construct the road between Salamaua and Wau — to which they are definitely committed— a means would be provided for employ ing large numbers of thei native labourers who, under the copra depression, are now being released from the plantations. Also, it might provide employment for many Europeans who otherwise are dependent upon the copra industry.

Mr. Laws points out that funds for this project can properly be drawn from the rapidly-accumulating amount derived from the excise tax on gold instituted since the outbreak of war. He points out that, 12 years ago, the royalty on gold was raised from 1 to 5 per cent, for the specific purpose of securing funds for the construction of the road, and that the whole of this revenue, probably half a million pounds, instead of being used for that purpose, was absorbed into New Guinea’s general revenue.

From that angle the residents of New Guinea certainly have had a raw deal— and it becomes more raw, because Can berra now, using the war as an excuse, clearly does not intend to proceed with the road, which it definitely promised two years ago.

Rev. C. S. Bull, of the Anglican Mis sion, Suva, Fiji, has been on leave in Hobart, Tasmania, and Melbourne, for the past 12 months, and is expected to return to the Colony at the end of Sep tember, Miss Ina Thomson, daughter of Captain and Mrs. Andy Thomson (he is one of the best known identities of the Cook Islands), arrived in Rarotonga recently from New Zealand to spend a short vacation.