RSSAILA Congress

Col. Allan Speaks For NG At RSSAILA Congress

(Prom our Brisbane Correspondent)

9 1 on^ress Returned Soldiers, Sailors and Airmens Imperial League of Australia was held this year in Brisbane. The New Guinea representative was again Colonel H. T, (“Blue ) Allan, who stirred up a considerable amount of comment when he attended the 1947 Congress in Canberra.

On that occasion he had much to say about housing and other conditions under which Europeans were forced to live in

New Guinea. This was given a great deal of press publicity and brought forth the usual denials and abuse from the Terri tories Minister, Mr. E. J. Ward. It led to Mr. Chifley granting Colonel Allan an interview at which no punches were pulled, and during which New Guinea’s grievances were well ventilated. There followed a great deal of buck-passing, both in and out of New Guinea: and, characteristically (for New Guinea folk

are contrary, if nothing else) some divided opinion among Territorians as to whether Colonel Allan had said too much or painted too gloomy a picture.

Mr. Chifley instructed Mr. Ward to visit the Territories and investigate complaints; but Mr. Ward was unable to go.

In spite of Ministerial promises and/or denials, however, it is apparent that there is still room for improvement in New Guinea conditions although the shipping position, which was the worst factor at the end of 1947, has improved consider ably with the return of the “Bulolo.”

Colonel Allan had something to say about other disabilities suffered by Europeans in the Territory at the present time. One of their grievances, he said, was that the Government would not per mit Europeans to take up land. He claimed that there was room, immediately, for 400 cocoa planters who in four years would be clearing £650 per annum, and in nine years, at present prices, £3,000. New Guinea, however, he declared, was pre vented from regaining its feet economic ally because ex-servicemen were debarred from making a living from planting while land was made available to natives only.

Colonel Allan also had something to say about the New Guinea timber in dustry. He alleged that 300 million feet of pine were available in the Bulolo Valley alone. This could be used for the urgent timber needs of Australia, but while these vast timber stands were idle Australia was obtaining U million feet from Dutch Borneo and looking to New Zealand and New Caledonia for other supplies.

The ban on the importation of stock from Queensland was another Govern ment action which was holding the Ter ritory back. The Government was said to be surveying the tick position.