Higher Costs Of

Living

In Papua-N. Guinea

Moresby, Dec. 7.

WITH the provision of a mouth piece (the new Legislative Council) the Papua-New Guinea community seems to be due also for a series of financial shocks.

Rubber exports are to be sub jected to an export tax. If the declared value is not over 2/6 per pound, there is no tax. For every sixpence in excess of 2/6, there is a tax of one penny.

In spite of resistance by planters’ representatives in the Council, who declared this was sectional taxa tion aimed at the planter, the tax went through. Official attitude was that copra, desiccated coconut and gold paid a tax —why not rubber?

The tax is expected to produce £30,000 p.a.

In spite of opposition by a large section of Council, the 10 per cent, surcharge on all dutiable goods was agreed to. This will increase the cost of many items.

A number of smaller taxes are to be imposed.

Public resentment has been voiced by the South Pacific Post, which de clares that it is most unfair that taxation should be so heavy, while the people have so small a voice in the Administration.

At the same time, to the grave discontent of the traders, the Ad ministration at the end of Novem ber, introduced price control. Here are some of the maximum prices fixed: The landed cost, plus— Fresh butter, 6d per lb.

Eggs, eVssd per dozen.

Non-packaged cheese, SVzd per lb.

Flour, Id per lb.

Fresh beef, 5d to 6d per lb.

Fresh mutton, 3d to 4d per lb.

Mutton cutlets, 6d. per lb.

Pork, 4Vfed to 6d per lb.

Canned corned beef, 3Vfed per 12 oz. tin.

Milk, powdered, 3Vfed per 12 oz. tin, per 3 lb. tin, or 4d per lb.

Condensed, 2d per 4 oz. tin.

Onions, 3d per lb.

Potatoes, 2d per lb.

Rice, Id per lb.

White sugar, iy 2 d per lb.

Tea, 9d per lb.