No Landing Bond

Needed For NG—Papua Residents

IT is not necessary for former residents of Papua and New Guinea who are returning to those Territories to lodge a landing-bond with shipping or air companies before a ticket is issued to them.

This was made clear on July 12, in the House of Representatives, Canberra, when the Minister for External Territories said that when complaints had been made to the Department that transport com panies were demanding the pre-war bond of £3O, “the obstacle was removed,” and in future permits to enter the Territory will be endorsed in such a way that transport companies will know whether a bond is required or not. In the case of former residents, the bond is not re quired.

As in most Pacific Territories before the war, a £3O landing-bond (an amount calculated to cover a return fare) was demanded of new settlers in New Guinea.

This was officialdom’s effective counter to the beach-comber problem. Many old timers. however, went to New Guinea be fore the landing-bond Regulation came into operation and, rightly, regarded New Guinea as their country. Some heart burning has occurred lately when, for the first time in their lives, they have been asked for this guarantee of good faith by shipping and air companies. They should therefore welcome Mr. Ward’s assurances in the matter.

The new architect for the Public Works Department, Mr, C. N. Nettleton, arrived in Suva recently from the United King dom.