After "Exploiters"

Big Firms Next?

Mr. Ward Still Out After "Exploiters"

HAVING tasted blood in disposing of the rank and file Territorial!, in the easy passage through the House of the Papua-New Guinea Provisional Ad ministration Bill, Mr. Ward yearns for bigger game—to wit the Big Companies.

If the Government accepts Mr Ward’s recommendation, it will try to ‘drive pri vate shipping companies from New Guinea and Papuan waters and operate its own services there.

“Eddie” let this bombshell fall during the debate on the New Guinea Bill.

Mr. Rankin (CP, Vic.) apparently gave him the idea when he (Mr. Rankin) said: “Trading companies have a grip on many plantations in the islands operated by re turned men. They haven’t only got a grip on them, but have taken some over.

“Their power should be curtailed. The Commonwealth should have their own shipping facilities against these other companies to try to safeguard the interest of these people in the area.”

Mr. Ward later thanked Mr. Rankin for the idea; he said he would recom mend it to the Government and hope

that Mr. Rankin “would support it later Territorians in the past have never been particularly enamoured of the Big Firms.

It is doubtful, however, if any alterna tive suggested by Mr. Ward would -be any more popular.

In view of the fact that the New Guinea Bill made no mention of Euro pean residents of the Territories (except to present them as “exploiters”) it seems odd that the External Territories Minis ter should suddenly become concerned for their welfare to the extent of providing shipping services.

It all goes to show that Mr. Ward is just a big-hearted boy at heart; all he wants is a fair deal for everyone.