Australian Territories

Native Labour Laws In the Australian Territories

AUSTRALIAN newspapers, in October, announced “sweeping changes in the conditions of employment of natives in Papua and New Guinea”; but the occasion was only the issue by the Ex ternal Territories Department of the Ordinances governing native labour.

The “sweeping changes” were devised and put into operation a year ago; but, up to date, no one has been able to obtain a copy of the regulations which authorise and govern the changes.

The ordinances are not yet available at the Sydney office, but we understand that printed copies can be obtained from Can berra. Territorian employers have been seeking copies for months.

The newspapers set out the “sweeping changes” in detail. They already are more than familiar to Territorians. They include the following: Elimination of professional recruiters and engagement of natives by employers personally.

Increase in wages from 5/- a month in New Guinea and 10/- a month in Papua to 15/- a month.

A scientifically-balanced diet for native labourers.

Reduction in hours of work from 55 a week in New Guinea and 50 in Papua to 44 a week.

Raising of the minimum age at which a native may be employed to 16. Formerly it was 14, with authority for employment in domestic ser vice from 12 years.

Abolition of indentures of native women.

Limitation of the period of indenture to 12 months. Re-engagement will not be permitted until the native has been returned to his home village for three months.

Flight-Lieut. E. E. Nicholls recently returned to Fiji from duty in England.

He has resumed work with the CSR Co., at Lautoka. His wife and son are still held up in Rhodesia through transport difficulties.