Native Planters

Receive £2,102 For Their Coffee

From Our Own Correspondent

Pt. Moresby, May 3.

NATIVE planters in the Sangara dis trict of the Northern Division of Papua have received £2,102 for their output of coffee, for the year ending December, 1940, after the expenses of marketing had been deducted. This is the highest amount received since the plantations were established under the Native Plantation Ordinance passed some 20 years ago.

The output was 163,319 lb., for which the gross proceeds amounted to £5,245 and net proceeds to £4,523.

Half the value of the coffee produced, after the expenses of marketing are paid, goes into the Native Taxation Fund for the general benefit of the natives, and the other half to the native plantation workers, in proportion to the amount of work each puts in.

Production (in lbs.) and the natives’ share of proceeds, since 1932, are as follows;

These plantations are the property of the natives, and the capital to establish them came from the Native Taxation Fund.

There are approximately 18 to 20 plan tations, varying from 4 to 30 acres, with a total area of over 250 acres.

This scheme was established to encour age the native to strike out for himself, and to attempt to develop the country for himself, and also to fill the void created by the gradually lessening inter est in their former customs. The results speak for themselves.

Natives’

Weight. Share. 1932 22,652 lb £422 1933 67.470 821 1934 60,645 536 1935 61,125 618 1936 104,896 1,280 1937 127,200 1,425 1938 171,595 1,527 1939 187,300 1,863 1940 163,319 2,102