The Biters, Bit!

N. Guinea Natives Learn that There is a Difference between Chinese and Yankee Dollars

From Our Own Correspondent

Finschhafen, Dec. 3.

WOULD-BE shrewd, Finschhafen natives, with visions of wealth, were taken down by Chinese sailors, when these still shrewder Orientals from the “Hai Tee” palmed off 1000-Chinese dollar notes for articles which the natives had “scrounged” from departed Ameri can Servicemen.

The cunning little yellow men asked the natives to bring them foodstuffs, clothing, towels, electric-torches, fountain pens and small items of value.

One lad. later, on passing over a four figure dollar bill at a trade-store said that if the proprietor had not enough money on hand, he would take £lO on the spot and the balance later on.

It was figured out that the Chinese paper money was practically useless, 1000 Chinese dollars being equivalent to about lid. Australian.

Very occasionally Japanese “invasion” money is still being tendered by inland natives who know no better. One “monkey” recently attempted to open a savings bank account with a “cheque” from a Monopoly game a game much favoured in recreation huts during the war.

Australian Treasury notes are in daily circulation among New Guinea natives now however. Most of them know their value well, although before the war, they would accept only “marks” (shillings).

A returning passenger by “Malaita,” for New Guinea, was Mr. Ron Hicks, who until lately has been attached to the Army in Rabaul in charge of Japanese prisoners. He has now severed his mili tary connections and has returned to the Police Force, of which he had been a member for a number of years prior to the war.

Mr. Bob Clark, who for some years has been engaged with the Australian External Territories Department in Sydney, sails by the “Esperance Bay” for England

on December 19, where he hopes to spend a holiday and later make a tour of the Continent. Bob is a son of the late Hon.

R. L. Clark, MLC, of Rabaul.