New Roads, Ports

and Airfields For New Guinea After the War

A famous Australian general has

been permitted to say what certain

journalists have been trying to say

for many months. The following

is from "Sydney Morning Herald"

of November 10:

WAR has given to New Guinea facili ties which will be of immense value when peace comes.

This was emphasised yesterday by Lieutenant-General Sir Iven Mackay, newly-appointed Australian High Com missioner in India, in a speech at a cock tail party given in his honour.

Sir Iven Mackay said that since the Japanese entered the war hundreds of miles of broad metalled roads had been constructed in New Guinea, letting air and drying winds into the jungles.

Kunai grass had been burned off and large areas cleared and drained, with the result that mosquitoes and consequent malaria had been reduced, but by no means abolished.

Scores of magnificent and costly air fields had been established. Ports had been increased in number and developed out of all recognition, so that the largest ships could now berth in at least five or six splendid harbours.

In the more populous centres oil pipes had been installed and refrigerating plants erected for perishable stores.

SPEAKING of the present fighting in New Guinea. Sir Iven said that the Japanese did not intend to give up Vitiaz Strait (between New Guinea and New Britain) without a bitter struggle.

It was really most fortunate that the fall of Lae had been followed so quickly by a landing at Finschhafen. It was now known that before the landing at Finschhafen the Japanese had sent a large force of infantry to reinforce the position. They took a fortnight to march in from the north, and in the meantime the Australians had secured the coast.

It was these Japanese regiments which had made a* vigorous counter-attack and which were now holding out at Satelberg.