Papuan Rubber Industry At Point Of Collapse

From Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby. July 5.

THE Papuan Planters’ Association has got nowhere in its efforts to re-open the Australian market for Papuan rubber. In a last attempt to save the industry from collapse the Association plans to make a direct appeal to the Minister for External Territories (Mr.

Ward).

In answer to a request for an interview, Mr. Ward said he would see representa tives of the Association as soon as pos sible. But no date has been fixed yet.

The President, Mr. E. V. Crisp, flew south on July 2, on business and he hopes to see the Minister during his stay. The Secretary, Mr. E. A. James, may also fly down.

Papuan planters have sold no rubber for three months, and they say that un less the Federal Government gives them a temporary subsidy, or some other as sistance immediately, they will have to close down their plantations.

THE trouble began at the end of March when Australian manufacturers said they would not want Papuan first-grade smoked sheet rubber for some time —unless planters were prepared to sell it at the price of second-grade rubber.

At the time, this meant a difference of about four-fifths of a penny a lb., and planters refused to sell. Since then, hun dreds of tons of rubber have piled up at plantations and storage centres in Papua.

Mr. James said to-day: “The position is very serious. Even if the manufacturers agreed to take all our output immediately, on the usual basis, we would still lose heavily on the accumulated rubber as prices have dropped considerably since the trouble began.

“Prices are now below the cost of pro duction in Papua, and planters can’t carry

on without Government aid. Thev want a temporary subsidy to see them over their difficulties, preference over foreign rubber, and a stabilisation scheme.

Otherwise, the industry will collapse.”

Planters point out that Papua’s rubber production was very important to Aus tralia during the war, when supplies from other countries were cut off.

The Administrator is understood to be greatly concerned about the position.

The Australian Government’s promises to develop the Territory’s resources will become ridiculous if the rubber industry is allowed to collapse.

Passengers In

June "Matua"

These Island residents returned from NZ in MV “Matua” in June (left to right, top): Mr. and Mrs. McCown, of Fiji, who had been on a motor tour of NZ; Miss H. Chapman, returning to Fiji, after a holiday in NZ. Centre: Mr. J.

Brown, Sub-Inspector, Fiji Police Force; Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Martin, of Fiji. Lower: Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Marks, Suva, after a tour of Australia and NZ; Mrs.

R. Barber, who had been visiting relatives in the Dominion.