Mr. Ward's N. Guinea

BEFORE he left for Europe in June, Mr. Ward, Australian Minister for External Territories, supplied the following information about New Guinea in the form of answers to a Government

Member’s questions.

The questions are shown in black type.

Mr. Ward’s replies are. shown beneath.

How many natives are being trained as medical orderlies for service in New Guinea, Papua and the islands?

Answer: 1.057 at present.

What is the cost of this training.

Answer: The estimated cost under the Com monwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme for 1547-48 is £42.000. Additional costs will be met by the Papua-New Guinea Administration, the amount of which is not yet known.

Is it proposed to increase the number of trainees?

Answer: Yes.

Does the Commonwealth assume any re sponsibility for the training of native teachers?

Answer: Yes. Provision is made in the edu cation programme for the training of native teachers.

Is any tax imposed on the gold industry?

Answer: Yes. Five per cent, royalty is im posed in the Territory of New Guinea and 3 per cent, export duty in Papua. Gold produced in the Territories is also subject to a tax of 50 per cent, of the excess price over £& per oz.. under the Gold Tax Act of the Common wealth.

If so, are any of its proceeds spent in ways of furthering native welfare?

Answer: Yes.

Is it proposed that the budgets of New Guinea and Papua should be based upon moneys raised in the Territories. If not, does the Government propose to spend Australian revenues on the Territories?

Answer: It is the aim eventually to make the Territories self-supporting, but during the developmental period Commonwealth funds will be available to augment local revenue.

How much is being spent upon tropical medical research?

Answer: The estimated cost of the nutritional survey at present being carried out is £7,000.

This is part of an extensive research programme which is contemplated.

Is it proposed to increase the number of medical officers in the Territory?

Answer: Yes. However, difficulty is being ex perienced in securing the number of doctors considered necessary.

Does the Commonwealth propose to assist financially the medical and educational work of missions?

Answer: Yes.