Ship

In Favour of Factory Ship

Letter to the Editor ALL who live in the Pacific Territories are concerned in the preservation of the valuable conra industry. A mul titude of suggestions have been published; and, no doubt, many are worthy of con sideration.

The one that appeals to me most—and to not a few others—is the provision of a factory ship, on similar lines to that at present engaged in the whaling industry.

In the case of the copra industry this could be done at much less cost. Such a vessel could visit the several islands, and treat the copra on the spot.

It would of course, be necessary to have a depot at one or more of the principal ports, in which the oil and other pro ducts of the nuts could be stored to await shipment. It is understood that they will keep in good condition in definitely.

Would it not be well to stop the cackle and take some definite steps to combat the slump? A vessel such as that sug gested would be the means of fighting any combine with its own weapons; and, it is contended, any product of the coconut could be manufactured at a cost with which a combine would find it difficult to compete.

Surely our planters could co-operate in the matter and, as far as their means would allow, take shares in a company formed for the purpose. Besides which business men arid the general public might be interested and sympathetic in support of the scheme.

No doubt, the cost of a suitable vessel and equipment would be costly, but if the Pacific Governments are sincere in their oft-expressed desire to heln the industry, they could materially do so by a liberal subsidy.

If it were possible to treat the copra in its green state, after crushing, it would do away with the troublesome and some what costly process of drying. Maybe some of our scientists could find a means of doing this.

It would be interesting to have the views of others on this matter. But in any case, the conra industry must be preserved.

I am etc.

Richard Howard.

Navua, Fiji. 8/10/40.

Mr. R. C. Dickie, Port Moresby dentist, left Papua for Australia recently. It is understood that he will not be returning to the Territory.

Mr. Peter E. R. Coe, of Rabaul, New Guinea, married Miss Lorna Russell, of Manly, in Sydney recently.

Wau-Salamaua Pilgrimage

SO that interest in the proposed Wau- Salamaua road (New Guinea) may not die. the New Guinea Mining Association has arranged that, during the Christmas holiday season a party of men from Wau. with mules, will walk over the mountains to Salamaua, follow ing the much-discussed route A. They will load up with rice, and march back again. They hope thus to maintain interest in the road project, and to demonstrate the feasibility of bringing in cargo over the route.

Mr, B. A. O’Connor, of the NG De partment of Agriculture, returned to Rabaul recently after furlough in Aus tralia.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Walstab, formerly head of the police in New Guinea, who enlisted for active service several months ago, is now head of the Provost Corps of the AIF in the Middle East.

Well-known men of Tonga, snapped at a sports meeting in Nukualofa. They are left to right.— Dr.. Bailey, Chief Justice Will Stuart, Rev. Mr. Gribble (in charge of Wesleyan College), Mr. C. E.

Dalton. Mr. J. H Young. Mr. Selwood, Mr. W. Parsonage (Director of Educa tion), Mr. L. A. Arm strong (British Agent and Consul) and Prince Tugi (Premier of Tonga).