Community?

Chinese In N. Guinea

What is Future of This Community?

From a Special Correspondent

Rabaul, Nov. 2.

SOME Europeans who. have returned to New Guinea insist that the most difficult problem immediately ahead of the Territory is the steadily-growing Chinese community.

It is reported that the Chinese in Rabaul have made a formal, written de mand upon the Administration for equal ity with the Europeans in all Territories matters Recent distributions of im ported goods suggests that the Admini stration has given them even more than that.

All Chinese claims for War Damage compensation have been dealt with very promptly. All this has not inspired pratitude in the Chinese. On the con trary, some Europeans complain of their growing arrogance.

The situation is not made anv easier when officialdom’s treatment of European civilians is seen in such sham contrast with the official attitude towards Chinese and natives. The idea, apparently, is to make us feel we are usurpers and have no right to be here.

There were less than 1,400 Chinese here when Australia took over in 1914. When the invasion occurred in 1941. there were 2 200. Since then, despite Jap occupa tion. their numbers have increased. There are 470 Chinese children attending school in Rabaul. They are sure to have an important place in the future of this Territory.