Buka-Bougoinville Prospects
p. 60 · Read in the full issue
Cost Of Australia's
Territories
Canberra, Nov. 9.
ONLY £1,915 was expended by the Aus tralian Government on Papua, New Guinea and Norfolk Island during the three months ended September 30, 1945.
This, of course, was due to the fact that the Territories then, and until Octo ber 31, were governed by the Army.
It will be a different story, henceforth.
Papua, and part of New Guinea, are be ing governed by Mr. Eddie Ward, and — according to the Budget—he is spending at the rate of £250,000 p.a. on the job.
Buka-Bougoinville Prospects
“T AM back in the vicinity of my old JL stamping-ground,” writes Lieut.
F. P. Archer (formerly of Buka, and now doing a job in ANGAU) in a private letter. “I have been to see my old home —Yame—and other plantations in and around Buka. Such a scene of desolation and destruction, and places overgrown to the water’s edge! All houses, dryers, plant and stock gone. Rather sad for the ‘old-timers’ to view!
“My guess is that it will take 9 to 12 months to rehabilitate the natives in and around Buka and Bougainville—that is, rebuild houses, plant gardens, clean the groves, clean roads, etc.; and then there is the medical rehabilitation, which will be a considerable item —ditto, rebuilding of morale.
“Unless the PCB extends its operations to this area, and solves the problem of supplies, ships and labour, etc., I cannot see the plantations getting an early start. The losses of natives—rehabilita tion period and probably their lack of desire to work —will all cause much delay.”