Cocoa Planting In P-Ng

Official Enthusiasm : But Where is Land and Labour ?

A S a matter of top-level official \ policy, the Australian Depart ment of Territories and the *apua-New Guinea Administration ow aopear to be co-operating in n effort to establish the cocoa lanting industry in Papua-New ruinea.

For years, the world demand for ocoa has exceeded the supply. Ef orts to extend the West African lantings—the chief source of ocoa—have been defeated by pests, rhich still are more or less out of ontrol. All the natural conditions squired for successful cocoa lanting are present in Papua-New Juinea. Cocoa seems to be the oundest alternative crop to coco uts. Suitable land could be made variable in P-NG in sufficient uantities.

An important development is the ppearance of a spirit of friendly o-operation between the Australian )epartment of Territories and Cad ury Brothers, Ltd., of Bournville, Ingland, one of the world’s largest onsumers of cocoa.

Before Wbrld War 11, efforts to stablish cocoa production in New Guinea were handicapped by the in ifferencer' of the Australian manu acturers who use cocoa. They made ; clear that they preferred the ifest African product.

The Department of Territories now is distributing to all persons interested a comprehensive report by Mr. Urquhart (a former Direc tor of Agriculture in Gold Coast, West Africa) and Mr. Dwyer (Act ing Director of Agriculture in P NG), on “Prospects of Extending the Growing of Cocoa in Papua and New Guinea.” The report has been printed by Cadbury Brothers, Ltd., and copies will be supplied, free of charge, to anyone interested, to gether with any information wanted, by the Secretary, Depart ment of Territories, Canberra, Aus tralia, or the Director, Department of Agriculture, Port Moresby, Papua.

In commending this report to the public, the Australian Minister for Territories, Mr. Paul Hasluck, quoted this extract: “In certain parts of Papua and New Guinea there is a combination of soil and climate suitable for growing cocoa which surpasses anything seen in West Africa, Trinidad, Ceylon, Malaya and Java.”

The experts, in their report, esti mate that there are 157,000 acres suitable for cocoa-growing in New Britain, distributed between the Gazelle Peninsula, Willaumez Pen insula, Hoskins Peninsula and East Nakanai. There are also large suitable

areas in Bougainville and Buka, and in the Popondetta and Wanigela districts of Nortneast Papua. There probably are other areas—but those mentioned definitely are suitable.

The printed report, which covers 40 pages, supplies a large amount of information about the production and economic sides of cocoa-plant ing. It is noted that, while cocoa

Grade

will begin to yield in two years, it does not get into full production for about five years. Then it produces steadily, during most of the year.

Editorial Note

Cocoa-growing in New Guinea is far beyond the ex perimental stage: it has been returning a few planters a steady income since the middle thirties.

There is no doubt that, under woper direction and encouragement, ihousands of Europeans could be settled in P-NG on cocoa-growing md that they could train the latives in this industry, just as has seen done so successfully in Wes ;ern Samoa.

But, on the really practical side — lamely, the availability of land, abour, and building material — ;here is a singular lack of reliable nformation.

Under the urging of the ex servicemen’s organisation, the P-NG Administration said over a year ago ;hat it views with favour the idea jf settling ex-servicemen on cocoa and. But when the RSL wanted to mow where the land is, when it can be taken up, and the terms jffered by the Administration, Port Moresby became all coy and reti cent. This was a marked develop nent of 1951.

The truth is, of course, that the iro-native Murray Administration cannot bear the thought of alienat ng one acre of native-owned land, wen if that is the only way in

which P-NG can be settled adequately by Europeans, so as to provide Australia with some sort of defensive barrier against Asia.

Much real development (which necessarily is based on land settle ment) in P-NG, up to date, has been hamstrung by the Administra tion’s reluctance to make land available in a worth-while way. The appearance of this report, and the Ministerial statement covering it, indicate that at last a new policy will be put into operation. Here are the exact words of Mr. Hasluck’s Press statement of December 12: “More than 7,000 acres had already been planted in cocoa. The future market outlook for cocoa was good and the Minister gave an as surance that companies and in dividuals who wished to establish new cocoa plantations in the Terri tory would have the firm support of the Government.

“There were excellent prospects in the cocoa-growing industry and in the Territory generally for men of vision, energy and ability, and with the necessary capital, said Mr. Has luck.

“Persons genuinely interested in taking up land for cocoa-growing and investing capital in its de velopment, could obtain further in formation by writing to the Secre tary, Department of Territories, Canberra, or to the Administrator of Papua and New Guinea, Port Moresby.”

Those sentiments are excellent,

and the outlook encouraging. But, at the risk of seeming a nuisance, may we point out that what ex private John Smith (who is eager to become a cocoa-planter in P-NG, and has a few hundred pounds to invest) wants to know, is: (1) Where is land available?

What is its price, and title? (2) What help will be given the

new planter in regard to materials for building a house and sheds? (3 > Will the Administration really help the new planter to get suitable native labour? (4) Will the Administration help selected new planters to maintain themselves, pending the harvesting of their first crops?

The Administration probably will

run away from the suggestion in No. 4. But an Administration that can literally Waste millions per annum on “war damage compensation” for natives > and on an over-elaborate and to ?- h eavy public works set-up, surely can find funds for the estab lishment of a new and profitable primary industry.