Whose Bus?

Moresby Contest Is Typical Of The Times

From Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby, June 4.

BIG quiz question of the moment here is: “Who is going to get Mr. R. Cor lett’s streamlined bus when the ad ministration buys it —Europeans or natives?”

For quite a while, Moresby natives have been cruising around in this modern 27passenger bus, watched enviously by Euro peans in the administration’s old “wait and hope” chariots. Europeans did not feel they could complain much, however, as they at least were getting a free service, while the natives paid fairly high fares.

Then the Administration got the idea of buying Mr. Corlett’s bus; and immediately pro-native and pro-European officials started a tug-o’-war for the vehicle. At first, the natives looked like winning— but just now it’s anybody’s event.

If the natives get the bus, the Adminis tration will probably try to soothe the Europeans with the announcement that another modern bus is awaiting shipment to Moresby from Australia.

If the Europeans get it, the natives will be compensated with a free service by one of the present European buses, Mr. Corlett, incidentally, plans to get a parlour car to provide a service between Moresby and Sogeri.