Late News

Ward Admits Withholding £6

Per Ton From Planters

IN the Australian Parliament, on October 15, the Territories Minister.

Mr. Ward, was pressed by Mr. T. W.

White to explain why his Board failed to pay New Guinea planters the full mar ket value of their copra. (See article, page 7.) Mr. Ward admitted that £6 per ton is being withheld from planters. The money is being put into a “Market Stabilisa tion Fund,” to be used ultimately, it was hoped, for the benefit of planters.

Mr. White, referring to planters’ troubles, pointed out that native labourers could not be bound by contract for more than a year. Yet the Austra lian Government, bringing out Polish servicemen to work in Tasmania in sisted on a much longer and stricter labour contract.

Immigration Minister Calwell replied to Mr. White’s effective point with a typical outburst of abuse.

Porf Moresby Buildings

IN the Australian Parliament, Mr. T.

W. White is to give notice of a series of questions, dealing with numerous contracts for buildings in Panua given by Mr. Ward’s Department to the Sydney Construction firm of John Stubbs & Son.