New Guinea Land

Conditions of Purchase

IN the Australian Parliament, on March 22, Senator Roy Kendall sought in formation about the system under which the Administration buys land from the natives of Papua and New Guinea, and leases it to Europeans. “What,” he asked, “is the position regarding the sa 1 e of land to foreigners?” He received the following official reply; “Land may only be bought or leased from natives of the Territory of Papup and New Guinea by the Administrator and no purchase or lease may be made until he is satisfied, after reasonable inquiry, that the land is not requTed or likely to be required by the owners. Land so ac quired is then dealt with under the land ordinanses of the territory.

“The price paid by the Administrator for land purchased' from the natives is determined by administration officers in discussion with the native owners. Gen erally the price ranges from 4s. an acre to £2 an acre, according to the class of land, locality and other factors. Land purchased by the Administrator is classi fied and an unimproved value is assessed under the land ordinances. Rentals range in respect of agricultural and pastoral leases of land from about 21 per cent, to 5 per cent, of the assessed unimp oved value. Rentals for town allotments are higher.

“Leases of land are granted by the Ad ministrator under the land ordinances of the territory, the provisions of which are applicable to persons of all natlona'it'es.”