Papua Planters’ Difficulties
pp. 24-25 · Read in the full issue
No Information About Copra Reserve Fund or Labour Ordinance
A NUMBER of matters of vital interest to Territories’ planters have been dealt with by the Planters’ Association of Papua, which held its second annual meeting in Port Moresby on August 5. The following are extracts from the Committee’s report:—
Mystery Of Copra Reserve
SOME little clarification on the position of copra producers in connection with the ANG Production Control Board has been obtained during the year, but unfortunately some points still are very obscure.
Fixed prices for the period to 30/6/48 were declared on March 3 last and a tentative price from 1/1/49 of £4B per ton for hot-air and sun-dried copra. This latter price is based on the amount to be paid by the Government of the United Kingdom under a proposed nine years’
agreement, details of which already have been notified to members, The matter of the Copra Reserve Fund (also called Market Stabilisation Fund) remains obscure. We have been unable to obtain from the Government any statement as to proposals for the utilisa tion of this fund, to the credit of which £5 per ton of copra sold is being taken from proceeds paid to growers, although the later have no knowledge of its purpose or management, we have got no further in this matter in last year, despite personal interviews with the Minister and a never ending correspondence.
Twelve months ago in this report the Committee expressed serious concern at the lack of knowledge concerning this Re serve Fund; yet another year has passed without result in this matter, while growers’ material interest in it has very considerably increased.
Rubber Market
DURING the latter part of the year under review, the position of rubber growers became critical, with the Australian manufacturers’ restriction of purchases and a continuing fall in world prices. Urgent representations were made to the Commonwealth Government for assistance to the industry, then faced with collapse. These submissions were:— (1) Enforcement of import licences in Australia, preventing the importation of foreign rubber until the full Papuan pro duction is absorbed; (2) A temporary grant-in-aid of 2id. per pound on all rubber exported to Aus tralia; (3) A permanent stabilisation scheme to be introduced.
These submissions were made through and supported by the Administration.
Early in July, 1949, it was decided to send representatives to Canberra to press these submissions and the President and Sec retary visited Australia for this purpose.
They conferred with the Minister for Ex ternal Territories (Hon. E. J. Ward) and also attended a conference called by him with representatives of the manufacturers and certain departmental officers.
Mr. Ward stated he was of the opinion that the industry should be protected and maintained, and promised to submit to Federal Cabinet, at an early date, pro posals for the immediate assistance of the industry, and also for stabilisation of future prices.
Rural Production
A RURAL Production Advisory Council has been formed by the Adminis trator, comprising four representa tives each of Administration and producers; so far this Association has four representatives on the Council, two of whom will retire upon the appoint ment of two producer representatives from New Guinea.
So far, the Council has gone little be yond the formative stage, but it is hoped that when properly functioning it may prove beneficial to producers generally.
Native Labour—No Action
WE regret having to report a complete lack of success in the matter of the Native Labour Ordinance. For two years we have been advocating reforms to this Ordinance, a great many of which are approved by the Administration; but absolutely no action whatever has been taken to effect amendments or improve conditions.
In an endeavour to supply an alterna tive to Contracts of Service, soon to be abolished, this Association suggested a form of agreement for native employees to come into being at once, side by side with the indenture system. After lengthy consultation with the Adminis tration, a form of agreement was evolved which was acceptable to all parties. This was over six months past, yet no action has resulted.
Range Of Activities
MEMBERS probably would be surprised to learn of the very large number of matters dealt with during a year and wide range of subjects. Outside of copra and rubber prices and similar mat ters, subjects dealt with have included shipping- services, freight rates, air ser vices, roads, bridges, navigational aids, entry permits, telephones, livestock pro duce grading, importation of iron, bank ing hours, postal services, issue of woollen clothing to labourers, native labour houses, fire prevention, etc., etc.
Any matter likely to be beneficial to members or to the industry as a whole is investigated and where considered ad visable, action is taken.
New Executive
THE following Executive Committee was elected for 1949-50: President: Mr. E. V. Crisp.
Vice-President: Mr. B. Fairfax-Ross.
Committee; Messrs. F. L. Clarke. F. H.
Godson, A. L. Johnston, F. A. Julian, I.
S. Loudon, P. J. McDonald, J. B.
McKenna, T. L. Sefton, L. A. Willis, R.
F. Bunting, E. T. Ward, J. Grimmer.
Auditor: Mr. J. W. Lukin.
Secretary: Mr. E. A. James.
There are now 79 members and owner members representing a planted area of 42,882 acres.
The Association had an income last year of £79 from subscriptions and £531 from fees: it spent £554; and ended the year with a surplus of £6O, which gave it a cash balance in hand of £394.