Undeveloped Resources

of N. Guinea

THERE is more than mere curiosity be hind the following questions, asked recently in the New Guinea Legislative Council by Mr. Harold Taylour; and there probably is far more than ap pears behind the answers of Mr. George Murray, Director of Agriculture, who has been righting against Canberra inertia for years, in his endeavour to stir un outside interest in the Territory’s enormous, un developed agricultural resources:— Mr. Taylour: What are the commercial possibilities for agricultural development along the Markham, Ramu, Purafi and Wahgi Valleys?

Mr. Murray: The possibilities for the agricultural development of the Mark ham, Ramu, Purari and Wahgi Valleys are as follows:—Sugar, rubber and cot ton on the middle Markham; cocoa and rubber on the lower Markham; cinchona, Arabian coffee, tea and mutton breeds of sheep on the Upper Ramu, Purari and Wahgi Valleys. Soil analyses have been made of the above districts and experi ments have been, and are being made with the industries named. Little develop ment is possible until there are better means for land transport than at present.

Mr. Taylour: To what extent does the Department of Agriculture give publicity to the agricultural possibilities of the Territory of New Guinea?

Mr. Murray: The Department publishes “The Agricultural Gazette” four times each year.

Mr. Kenrick Herbert Kitchener Quintal, of Norfolk Island, died recently at the age of 25.