Evacuees Are “Befogged”

Pacific Territories Assn. Discusses Commonwealth Reoccupation Proposals

SMALL as was the Territorian’s voice in the administration of either of the two New Guinea Territories before the war, indications were that it would be a “thundering sight less” in the post-war set-up apparently being consid ered by the Commonwealth Government.

This view was expressed by Mr. E. A.

James at the quarterly meeting of the Pacific Territories Association in Sydney, on March 14, when, as president, he dis cussed the Government’s proposals for the civil reoccupation of the Territories. (The text of these proposals and the machinery set up to govern the Terri tories appears on page 3 of this issue.) In Mr. James’s opinion, the Common wealth was preparing to hand the administration of the Territories, lock, stock and barrel, now and forever, over to the External Territories Department.

When the Commonwealth’s proposals were published in the Press on February 23. the PTA immediately telegraphed Mr.

Ward, asking for fuller details. Mr.

Ward’s reply confused rather than threw any light on the subject, and consisted mainly in a reiteration ,of the Press release given by Mr. Curtin on February 22.

The PTA Executive confesses to being “befogged” and therefore advises all members who are desirous of returning to the Territory of Papua to make appli cation immediately, and. if possible, to acquaint the PTA of the replies they receive, as this appears to be the only way of ascertaining who are considered by the Commonwealth to have “essential” work to do in the Territory.

Regarding the return of womenfolk, a letter has already been forwarded to the Minister asking that further considera tion be given to this matter at the earliest opportunity.

The Executive has requested also that the earliest possible consideration be given to the re-introduction of civil administration to the Territory of Papua and other places as they lose their status as operational areas.

The Government’s proposals were dis cussed at length—and. with heat—by the large meeting, particularly with regard to the “conclusions” reached by the Com mander-in-Chief, Sir Thomas Blarney, and the Standing Sub-committee, that although female missionary teachers were to be allowed to return to the Territory, other females, including wives of plant ers, were not.

Mr. R. A. Laws asked if it were more important to educate natives than it was for planters and others to have the care and help of their wives? Mr. J. C. Mullaly proposed that the meeting express to the Commonwealth Government its thorough disapproval of its recent decision to allow class-distinction in the return of females to the Territory, and considers that it is quite improper that any dif ferentiation between various sections of residents of the Territories should be made in the granting of approval to return, and that such approval should be granted on the merits of each appli cation, irrespective of the section of the community to Which the applicant belongs.

This motion was seconded by Mr. G.

Bellamy and supported by Mr. C. I. H.

Campbell, who said that women had proved themselves worthy of taking their place alongside their men and that their

return would have a most wholesome effect on the natives.

The motion was carried unanimously.

OTHER matters dealt with in the Executive’s report, submitted by Mr. C. A. M. Adeskold, were as follows: —

Mining Sub-Committee

The Mining Sub-Committee has held a number of meetings since it was ap pointed to look after the interests of the mining community of the Territories. As a .result of such meetings proposals in regard to the sending forward of a main tenance unit to the Territories, in order •to preserve and save as much as possible of the assets, has been placed before the Minister of External Territories, and we now await his advice.

War Damage Insurance

Following on inquiries regarding the insurance of trees, your Executive on the 25th January, 1944, circularised all plan tation owners whose addresses could be ascertained, advising them to insure their trees for the current period at the reduced rate of 2/- per centum. In tak ing this action your Executive took into consideration the possibility of consider able damage when invasion and land operations took place. Inquiries made showed that these operations would cause much greater damage than bombing.

Regarding amendments to the regu lations which your Executive recom mended to the Federal Treasurer, a reply has been received agreeing to some of such amendments, but unfortunately one of the most important—the insurance of plantation boats —has not been agreed to and the Minister for Territories has been requested to again take up this matter with Mr. Chifley.

A new ruling has been given on the question of cattle. Previously, the regu lation allowed for payment only when it could be proved that the cattle were killed; now it is defined that “if live stock is removed by the enemy and not recovered, total loss can be presumed, and it would be so treated under the scheme.

The same conditions apply to livestock removed to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy.”

Internees

Your Executive has continued in its efforts to obtain certain privileges for civilian internees and their dependants, but to date no definite reply has been received from the Government. In this connection we have requested all affiliated bodies and the New Guinea Branch of the RSSAILA to also take up the matter.

This has been done, and we hope by con centrated attack that we may be able to obtain a decision in the near future.

Custodian Of Expropriated

Properties

The position of plantation owners, who are purchasing their properties from the Custodian, in regard to War Damage In surance claims has exercised the minds of your Executive, and it has attempted to obtain from the Custodian a statement defining his attitude, but up to date this has not been obtained. Under the War Damage to Property Regulations all charges against insured property must be noted, and we contend that if the Custodian intends to exercise his rights he should be prepared to pay his pro portion of the contribution.

(Continued on Page 39)

Copra Payments

We have made representations to the Department of External Territories and the Treasurer that portion of the assessed amount of War Damage Insurance on copra insured by the Copra Pool be made available to the owners, and we have now received advice that a decision may be expected at an early date.

Mobile Unit

We have found it impossible to obtain the attendance of a majority of the com mittee elected at the last quarterly meet ing to investigate the proposals for the formation of a Mobile Unit for native welfare. This matter will again be brought up for direction.

Production Control Board

Efforts are still being made to have representatives of the producers ap pointed to the Board and, whilst the Minister expressed his agreement with the principle of such representation, at our delegation on December 2nd, 1943, to date we have not succeeded in over coming the prejudice which appears to exist in other quarters to any represen tation of other than Government Depart ments, and from a communication, dated the Ist March, received from the Minister, it appears that the Government are not desirous of agreeing to such represen tation. Your Executive will, however, continue its efforts in this direction.

With regard to the prices paid by the

Board for produce from plantations, every effort is being made to obtain from the authorities all information as to the computing of the nett FOB plantation prices as compared with the market price by the Allied Nations control, and from information received by telegram from Canberra, these' particulars should be available at any moment and will then be fully investigated by your Executive.

In regard to the prices charged for stores, your Executive arranged some time ago for publicity in this matter through the medium of “Smith’s Weekly,” and one particular item objected to, namely, wheatenmeal, has been reduced from sd. per lb. to 3d. per lb., a fall of £l6/3/4 per ton. That such a reduction was possible does not reflect too highly on the administration of the selling department.

Affiliations

Your Executive has to report that Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide Women’s Associations have completed their affilia tions, whilst Melbourne Association, it is anticipated, will complete affiliations within a few weeks. We have received

advice that the Country Women’s Associa tion constitution will not allow of the affiliation of their New Guinea Branch with the PTA.

Executive Changes

It is with very deep regret that we record the death of Mr.' J. R. Clay, who has been an Executive member since the inception of the Association. The Exe

cutive has not yet appointed any member to replace him as Papuan commercial

representative.

Since the last meeting, Mr. H. Taylour has tendered his resignation from the

Executive owing to his present employ

ment taking him away from Sydney the greater part of his time, and we have,

therefore, appointed Mr. G. Bellamy to

fill the vacancy caused—that of New

Guinea mining representative.

Other Business

THE recommendations made by the

Mining Subcommittee, which have

been submitted to the Minister, Mr.

Ward, were read to the meeting, as follows: L—The personnel of the unit to consist of a minimum of six men preferably to be nominated by the Pacific Territories Association and at least 50 per cent, of these are to be chosen from nominations of the above Association. The Association undertakes to nominate men with the necessary New Guinea experience and abilities to fit them to carry out the duties hereafter outlined. They would be selected from men above military age and as far as practicable from men not employed in reserve occupations. 2.—The duties of the unit would be to act as custodians of present plant, equipment and property, to visit all mining properties where required so to do by either the owner or other interested persons, to advise and recommend remedial steps necessary to prevent further loss of assets and the extent and probable cost of salvage operations. To take immediate steps, where necessary, to minimise weather and other damage, to protect plant, etc., from the elements, improper use, looting and vandalism. At the request of the owners, and/or the War Damage Commission, to carry out such preliminary salvage and repair work as required. 3.—ln the nomination of the personnel every endeavour will be made to include persons with intimate knowledge of all properties such as, Edie Creek, Wau, Black Cat, Sandy Creek, The Bulolo, Sunshine, Upper and Lower Watut, Misima, Sapphire Creek. 4. —The War Damage Commission to be ap proached to send representatives forward with the unit with full power to approve, or other wise, proposals put forward by the urfit for salvage and protective operations, etc. s.—To carry on the work of erecting suitable shelters for the rehabilitation of the white population, and particularly the reconstruction of the sawmill and timber working plants for the purpose of providing timber necessary for the housing of the European population. 6.—Tp report to owners as to the condition of then: properties, obtaining in advance par ticulars of replacements which will be required when peacetime conditions obtain, so that property owners will be able to resume activities with a minimum of delay and thereby provide immediate employment for many Australians. 7. —To take such steps as are possible for the planting of native foodstuffs and generally to

prepare for the return of the indentured labourers. 8- That the centre of operations of the pro posed unit will be at Wau and the unit will generally provide a service to the owners giving full information as to the state of their pro perties and generally act as their agents when requested so to do, to do all things possible to prepare in advance for the return of the population.

With regard to the request for infor mation relating to the price of copra paid to the plantation owners in Papua, made to the Department of External Territories by the PTA on January 10, a letter, dated March 11, was received from the Secre tary of the Department, Mr. J. R. Halli gan. The letter was submitted to the meeting. Relevant extracts are as follows: The Minister fixed the following price for copra to be purchased from plantations in Papua:— Hot Air—good quality . £l5/10/- per ton Sun Dried £l5/-/- „ „ Smoke Dried £l4/10/- „ (All subject to reclamation.) These were tentative prices fixed for 3 months from July 1, 1943. The prices have since been revised and have been fixed:— Hot Air and Sun Dried .. .. £lB/10/- Smoke Dried £l7/-/- These prices are final for period ending September 30, 1943, and tentative thereafter.

These prices will be reviewed from time to time having regard for changing circumstances and costs.

These prices are paid to plantation owners at usual plantation port of shipment or on plan tation where no coastal shipment is involved.

All copra coming into Australia is under Government control and price thereof is fixed by the controlling authorities.

The price paid to this Department for copra from Papua is £2B for Hot Air and Sun Dried, and £27 for Smoke Dried.

Similar conditions relate to the purchase of rubber.

From July 1, for three months, the tentative price was:— No. 1 Grade 1/5 per pound No. 2 Grade 1/4 „ No. 3 Grade .. 1/2 „ The following were the final prices fixed for the quarter ending September 30, 1943, and tentative thereafter:— No. 1 Grade .. l/6y 2 per pound No. 2 Grade .. l/SVss No. 3 Grade .. 1/3 V 2 Inferior .. .. 10y 2 to l/2y 2 „ Prices at which the rubber is now sold ex bond in Australia are:— No. 1 Grade .. .. 1/11 per pound No. 2 Grade .. .. 1/10 No. 3 Grade ... 1/8 Inferior 1/3 to 1/7 „ „

Discussion

rERE was some discussion on the Production Control Board. Mr.

James stated that the PTA origin ally proposed to the Minister for Exter nal Territories that the Production Con trol Board should consist of the GOC New Guinea Forces and three nominees of the producers. In actual fact, the Board consisted of one military officer — Brigadier Cleland (who incidentally was all that could be desired in such a posi tion) —and two Army officers, appointed by the External Territories Department.

These are on leave without pay but are subject to military discipline. A third member has not been appointed, as this apparently is considered unnecessary.

When a PTA delegation met Mr. Ward in December, the matter of having a producers’ representative on the Board was taken up with him, and he appeared to be sympathetic. Since that time, how ever. a letter has been received from the Minister, in which he states that this request cannot be granted. Mr. Tom Nevitt, a returned planter, has been co-opted to the Board but as far as can be ascertained he is not always invited to sit at meetings, his advice is rarely asked, and when given, it is not given much consideration. He then can scarcely be called a representative of the pro ducers.

A motion was moved by Mr. C. I. H.

Campbell, seconded by Mr. Mullaly, that: The strongest possible protest be made to the Government at the con tinual refusal of the Commonwealth authorities to appoint a representative of the producers to the ANGAU Produc tion Control Board —particularly in view of the Board’s far-reaching powers over industry in the Territories.

The motion was carried.

With regard to the refusal of the Com monwealth to pay rent or compensation on property taken over by the military authorities, or on gold handed over to the authorities by the miners on their evacuation and subsequently lost, Mr.

James stated that the PTA was wait ing legal opinion of their position. The meeting resolved that when such opinion was forthcoming, the Executive of the Association should have the power to act as it thought fit.

The motion put to the meeting that the committee elected to go into the mat ter of the mobile canteen for native wel fare, should be called again, was defeated.

The New Caledonian Administrative Council recently reduced the budget estimates for 1944 to 99,250,000 francs —a sum 2,227,000 francs less than the esti mates proposed by the Administration.