They May Not Search for Oil in

N. Guinea

MANY people with interests in New Guinea have expressed irritation with the Australian Government’s decision that no more permits are to be given to expeditions to go into “uncon trolled” country in search of oil—although certain expeditions are eager to go, and it is believed that there are good prospects of an oilfield on the northern sides of the dividing range. The reason officially given for the refusal is difficulty in find ing enough patrol officers to accompany such expeditions.

Critics urge that the fact of the war should be sufficient to justify special means being taken to encourage the search for oil, which is vital to the Empire’s war effort.

The excuse in relation to shortage of patrol officers is regarded as shilly shallying. There are many trustworthy prospectors, with a wide knowledge of Territory conditions, who are as capable of maintaining good relations with the natives as the average patrol officer. Pro tection of native interests must always be a paramount consideration in New Guinea administration; but a short-sighted offi cialdom can easily allow the thing to get out of focus.

Mr. N. E. Nilsen, general manager of Lcloma Gold Mines NL, of Tavua, ar rived in Sydney from Suva in November, with Mrs. Nilsen.