Australian Money For Territories Interesting Items

Territories Interesting Items in Canberra Budget

DETAILS of expenditure in the Pacific Territories under the control of Australia are given in the “Esti mates” submitted recently to the Austra lian Parliament. Following are some extracts; —

It may be noted that no less than £lOO,OOO was “advanced” in order to allow the Production Board to function, and that another £50,000 is provided.

It would be interesting to know why the Copra Control Board should have to be financed to the extent of £25,000, see ing that it makes such large profits on its transactions, and is so tardy in squar ing up accounts with producers.

One would like to know what “repre sentation” in New Hebrides and “adja cent areas” requires £4,500 per annum. Is this the cost of a trade commissioner in New Caledonia? Or is it connected with that mysterious Australian arrangement which, for 25 years, has maintained a solicitor in Port Vila to watch land titles?

The provision of over £30,000 per annum for New Guinea and Papua administra tion is puzzling, in view of the fact that the whole job of administration now is being carried out by -the Army.

There is optimism in the provision of £12,000 for mail services between Austra lia and the Western Pacific Groups.

Someone evidently hopes for a measure of restoration of communications before June 30, 1945.

Spent Provided in for 1943-44. 1944-45.

General—

£ £ Payments to Civilians from Papua and TNG ..

On Account of NG and 571 1,000 Papuan Administrations.

Expenses of A-NG Pro- 32,477 43,000 duction Board Australlan-NG Production Board —Advance on Trust 1,955 2,000 Account 100,000 50,000 NG Copra Board —advance 16,627 9,000 N. Guinea Handbook ..

Representation in New Hebrides “and other areas 450 adjacent to Aus.” ., .. 3,490 4,500

New Guinea—

Interest orT Loans 1,798 1,800 Bounties on Production .. — 1,000

Papua—

Interest on Loans 3,725 3,700

Norfolk Is.—

Miscellaneous Services .. 4,000 4,000 Interest on Loans 57 60

Dept. Of Ext. Territories—

Administrative Shipping and Mail Services 14,666 17,700 to Islands 4,929 12,000