New Native Labour Laws

Now In Operation In Papua-New Guinea

From Our Own Correspondent

Pt. Moresby, Jan. 8.

THE new Native Labour Ordinance, which came into effect on January 1, shows a gain for employers in that the term of native employment under agreement has been extended from 12 to 18 months. There is a further optional period of six months which can be ter minated by either employer or employee at a month’s notice.

In addition to employment under agreement, and the previous system of “casual” labour, the Ordinance also pro vides for a new group—the daily casual worker. His rate of pay is a flat 6/- a day, and he gets no accommodation, rations, clothing, or any other issue from his employer.

There are also a number of other changes; but insofar as wages for “agree ment” employees and the original class of casual worker, these remain at the former rate of 15/- a month, plus accommodation, rations, clothing and equipment.

Recruiters expect that it will take a while for natives to get used to the new system, since most of them dislike any sort of change. However, they believe that once the mental adjustment to a longer term has been made., it will be welcomed by prospective recruits, as many have repeatedly asked to sign on for longer terms since Mr. Ward wiped out the 3-years’ contract and substituted 12 months.

The first native reaction to the new system is being tested by a- number of

recruiters who arrived in the Sepik Dis trict early this month to engage contract labour for New Britain.

So far there has been little reaction from employers who—if they have been able to obtain a copy—are still wadins: through the lengthy Ordinance which first became public only during the last days of December. At the end of the first week in January, printed copies were still not available, the only copies beine roneoed .ones run off in haste in port

Moresby. The general principles have been explained in a 9PA Broadcast by Mr. W. R. Humphries who was Native Labour Director until his Department ceased to exist on December 31 as a separate Administration unit.

Mr. and Mrs. R. V. Cole and daughter, Jocelyn, arrived in Brisbane from Suva recently. They will leave for England in February. Miss Jocelyn has just finished school in New Zealand.