Why First Grade Is Not Wanted

INQUIRIES made in Sydney show there is no ill-feeling between Papuan rubber producers and Australian rubber manufacturers. The main trouble is that, during the war period, when manufacturing processes had to be adapted to difficult conditions created by the war, the manufacturers found that they could do just as well with Papuan

second-grade rubber as with first-grade.

Therefore, they naturally want only second-grade, which is sold by the planters at severr-eighths of a penny per pound less than first-grade.

The planters, on the other hand, having suffered a considerable reduction in the world price of their product in the past couple of years, are naturally reluctant to sell their first-grade rubber at second grade prices.

Discussions between the two sides are proceeding. Mr. T. L. Sefton, a well known Papuan planter who returned to Papua from Sydney on June 11, expressed the opinion that negotiations would find a happy compromise, Mr. Ward’s Production Control Board handled rubber with enthusiasm when the rubber market was good. But when the slump came, the Board hurriedly passed over the marketing of the product to the planters. It retained complete control of the other Territorids’ product, copra, how ever. Copra can be sold easily, anywhere.

Mr. Thomas Inglis, who died in Bris bane some months ago, became well known to Papua residents during the two years he was there as inspector of

schools. He left a widow and two daughters.

Rabaul aerodrome has now been equipped with flare-type kerosene landing lights. Although it is not usual for planes

to land after dark on New Guinea dromes, the lights will be an emergency safe-guard.