Reform Awaited

Old Planters Impression of New Guinea

By B. G. Edgell, director of Edgell and Whiteley, Ltd., who has just returned to Sydney from a visit of inspection to his plantations in Manus, New Guinea.

SOME progress has been made in re habilitation in New Guinea. But, to regain pre-war standards, the majority of the plantation homes, wharves, boats, roads, copra driers, storage sheds and native-labour quarters have yet to be rebuilt, and the clearing of jungle encroached properties must be under taken, as well as a host of other enter prises essential to recovery.

Progress has not been as fast or com prehensive as the Territory’s principal industry and sheet anchor warrants. It is not as it would have been if those who have controlled the destinies of these outposts, both at Canberra and at Port Moresby, had lent a more sympathetic ear to the Territory’s crying needs, of which there is evidence on every side.

Surely the planters who fought—almost to a man—in one or both of the recent terrible wars warrant very special consi deration. Surely England’s need for vegetable oils, and the need of starving Europe’s under-nourished children, should justify all emphasis being put on the re habilitation and recovery of the copra industry!

But it is so easy to criticise. If there iiave been mistakes, let us forget them and remember that some progress has seen made and let us see how this pro gress can be speeded up. It can be done ay the strokes of a few Departmental Dens: — (1) Let us have access to the building naterial, particularly galvanised iron, vhich is being shipped out of Manus or s rusting where the Americans left it.

Quonsett huts are deteriorating fast, and should be made available to planters at i cheap rate.) (2) Grant permission to employer and ■mployee (strictly, where the employee is •eady and willing) to enter into two ;ears’ contracts. And what is there vrong in such an arrangement? When first went to the Islands, as an employee n 1920, I was under a three-years’ con ract, and I did not think my employer in exploiter! (3) Let us have ships to move the copra he planters produce—two more 500-ton essels, efficiently run, would probably do he work.

Only a defeatist would say that these hings cannot be done. I can envisage -n era of prosperity for the Islands and Jew Guinea if only these suggestions are dopted—if only our new Minister (all ections of the community anxiously await - visit from him) can imbue his Depart ment chiefs with a measure of enthusiasm, nth a will for inter-departmental co peration, with an earnest interest in the dvancement of the Territory as a whole, very man doing a day’s work and no ection of the community—black, white

r brindle—forgotten.

It should never be overlooked that copra > to New Guinea what wool is to Aus ralia.

Trustees have been appointed to adminis er Fiji’s £BO,OOO War Memorial Anti ‘uberculosis Fund. They are: Sir Hugh -agg (chairman), Dr. J. M. Cmikshank Director of Medical Services). Joeli K. lavai, MLC, Messrs. Vishnu Deo, MLC, nd R. S. Kay.