Pta Holds Its Last Meeting In

Australia

Review of Conditions in Australian Territories

rE Pacific Territories’ Association held its last quarterly general meeting in Sydney on June 18. So many members now have returned to the Territories that the attendance was small. Mr. R. A.

Laws presided.

Future meetings of the Association will be held in the Territories—probably, in the beginning, at Port Moresby.

Proceedings at the June meeting were very quiet, and took the form of a review and discussion of the activities of the Association during the past 4 h years —since the formation of the Association during the black days of early 1942—and of the probable course of events in the coming year.

It was generally recognised that operations based on private enterprise are likely to receive little encouragement in the Territories under the present regime. The aggressively Socialist programme originally launched by the Australian Government in the Territories has been considerably pruned and modified in recent months; but the whole administrative setup, none-the-less, still apparently is designed to discourage profit-making in any f o p m & j Some members took the view that conditions in the Territories would be improved at once if the Australian Labour Government were defeated in the September elections. But the majority were of the opinion that, as there is so little practical understanding of Territories’ conditions and problems in the Canberra Parliament and Departments, there is little likelihood of the Territories making real economic progress so long as they are governed by Australia, no matter what political party is in power.

THE executive submitted the following report, for consideration and discus-

sion-_l

in accordance with the Constitution, the Central Executive of this Association is SS? an b S e e the d last SM°Sg&g“£ Sydney.

The necessity for the transfer is indic ated by the large number of former residents who have already returned to New Guinea and Papua and the very considerable number who will return as soon as permits can be secured and con ditions are stabilised, A brief resume of the activities of the Association during the year ended May 31, 1946, shows that although your Execu tive has continued to meet weekly and to submit many matters to the attention of the Federal Government, the results ob tained have not compensated for the time and labour spent on their submission, It is apparent that the Minister and his advisers are not interested in the sub missions of the experienced ex-residents but are determined to carry out their theories, irrespective of the injustices in flicted on the pioneers of Australian Paci fic Territories, ■rtttta'rtt ttattotj _, Tft •1' , present there is a number of resi dents proceeding home to New Guinea, 9 rc * er to assist them in their re habilitation we have endeavoured to ob tain f rom the Government concessions for those returmng in the form of fares freight and duty. But, apparently, this is a Question of extreme difiiculty as for months now it has been receiving the consideration of the Minister and it is apparently still doing so as we have been unable to obtain his decision,

Native Labour—Papua And

New Guinea

As you are aware> all contracts of ser vice 0 f natives were cancelled in Papua on 15th October, 1945, and in New Guinea on 28th February, 1946; and, as a result, many Papuan plantations are still with °ut the necessary labour to carry on pro duction. Thus, at a time when greater be producing mucn needed In conWtlon wlth these

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your executive approached the Minister regarding a refund to the planters of the value of the unexpired portion of the con tracts; and we are now, after many months of waiting, advised that no refund will be made in this connection. No reasons for the decision are given.

War Damage Commission

As usual, your executive can report that in all our submissions to the Commission we have received every consideration and help.

The magnitude of the work of the Com mission must be remembered when small difficulties are encountered.

The basis for payment in respect of trees destroyed has been arrived at, and in this connection we advise members that in regard to coconut palms the values vary from 2/3 to 18/- per palm, depending on the production in the area concerned.

One aspect of War Damage Insurance which still awaits finalisation is the posi tion of the Custodian in regard to pro perties over which he holds a charge.

Your executive has continually endeav oured to obtain some clarification of the position; but, to date, nothing definite has been advised. This position naturally affects the firms who have charging agreements over properties, as until such time as the Custodian declares his policy the firms are unable to define their atti tude. This matter must be left in the hands of the Sydney executive for further action.

In regard to war damage claims not yet assessed, the Commission has signified its willingness to consider applications for ad vances, to allow the insured going ahead with his or her rehabilitation.

Legal Opinions

During the year your executive obtained the opinion of Mr. Weston, K.C.. regard ing the restrictions on trading with the natives, imposed by the Department of External Territories, and in this connec tion the opinion clearly stated that such restrictions were illegal. It is noted that since obtaining this opinion the re strictions complained of have been re moved, and traders are now at liberty to trade with the native population as heretofore, but under supervision of Gov ernment officials.

The legality of the Provisional Admini stration Act was at one time in question, but assurances from reliable source that the Act was legal were received, and your executive therefore took no further action in this regard.

Social

The formal surrender of Japan in Aug ust, 1945, was celebrated by a party at the Paddington Town Hall on August 22. 1945, organised by the combined New Guinea Associations. Over 600 persons attended, and it was undoubtedly the most success ful and enjoyable gathering of Territor ians held in Sydnev.

On February 22, 1946, your executive organised a “Get-Together” Harbour Trip and although the number present was small compared with the previous trip, a most enjoyable night was spent.

During the year under review, continued efforts have been made to form a New Guinea Club in Sydney but, unfortun ately, the lack of suitable accommodation has hampered all our efforts.

Trust Fund

. Your execu tive during the year took the initiative m the proposal to form a Trust Fund, similar to Legacy, to assist the re latives of those New Guinea civilians who lost their lives as a result of the Japanese invasion.

Unfortunately, the support considered

necessary for the success of this project was not forthcoming and your executive therefore regretfully abandoned the idea.

General

There are naturally many ether mat ters which your executive have dealt with during the year and which have been re ported on in the quarterly reports.

Now that the time has arrived for the transfer of the main activities to New Guinea, your executive desires to stress the necessity for the Association to con tinue as a live and strong body. It is con sidered that the next six months will be of immense importance to the future of the Territories and their European and native inhabitants.

The present Provisional Administration which is without doubt purely the mouth piece of the Minister for External Terri tories, will, it is understood, cease to func tion at December 31, 1946, and we must then be properly organised in order to re present to the Administration that Legis lative and Executive Councils should be set up to advise the Government.

It is particularly necessary that those appointed to the Legislative Council be re presentative of the different sections of the community.

It is, therefore, to be hoped that the Association which has carried on through out the years of exile in Australia will continue to function even more strongly on its establishment in the Territories.