Strange Native Labour Conditions
p. 23 · Read in the full issue
From a Special Correspondent
NATIVE labour conditions here in New Guinea are puzzling. Here is a radiogram from the Director of Native Labour, Port Moresby: “State oc cupation and wages offered. If wages and conditions attractive, Port Moresby natives might apply.” This is all the help that can be offered to a prospective em ployer at Lae.
Already Port Moresby natives have been flown over here at employers’ ex pense, and have thrown their hands in after a few days and have had to be flown back again by the employer.
Planters in Eastern Papua have told me about plantation labour demanding £5 a month for continuing after their year’s contract expires.
mHE “Bunny” Hammonds celebrated X their 18th wedding anniversary by a cocktail party at “Warren 2,” Lae, on 23rd July. Those present included Mr. and Mrs. Peterson (BP manager), Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Beckett, Dr. and Mrs.
Worcester, Mr. R. Lowe, Mrs. Norman Whitely, Mrs. Booker. Chief Officer Far qhuar Smith (from “Montoro”), Mr. Geo.
Rice (Vacuum Oil), Mr. Geo. Heath, Mr.
W. McKeene, Mr. E. B. Ayres.
THE “Montoro” arrived at Lae on July 22 —the wettest day Lae has known for a long time. It pourerd in tor rents and blew half a gale. Captain Duddell made a very excellent berthing alongside Milford Haven wharf under great difficulties, as the wharf is like an
egg-shell and might go with any bump.
IT is said here that Australia has let down the hungry world by failing to supply a promised 60,000 tons of cop ra—entirely due to the cancellation of labour contracts last October and the un willingness of natives to work.
In Papua they are sitting down in their villages “until Guvment ’e talk all boy may work.”
SAMARAI is settling down nicely. The wharf is working efficiently, and homes are becoming comfortable and attractive. There the natives working cargo were a cheerful, happy crowd and reminded one of the laughing, shouting gangs one knew in pre-war days. Not so at PM or Lae.
I am convinced, however, that it is only a matter of time, and the introduction of a longer contract period than one year, for many natives to offer for service.