Papua Rubber Planters

In Trouble

Shipment Refused Again

THE Papuan rubber industry which has had its full quota of ups and downs in the post-war years, was again in trouble in October when it was learned that a leading Aus tralian company had refused its October quota of Papuan rubber.

Australian agents of the Papuan Planters’ Association have been un able to sell over 100 tons of the October rubber shipment and will stockpile it against November orders, which, however, total only 132 tons.

Agents have asked that no further shipments of rubber be made from Papua during October.

In June, 25 per cent, of the May shipment to Australia was refused by Australian manufacturers and this was held over until July by which time the price had fallen lOd per pound and planters lost £B,OOO.

After the October refusal, an emergency meeting of the Planters’

Association was held in Port Moresby and a radio sent to the Minister of Territories asking for prompt action to see that shipments )f Papuan rubber were resumed mmediately. It was pointed out, at he meeting, that although Papua sroduces less than 3,000 tons of rubber a year, Australian manufac urers use about 36,000 tons.

Since the rubber boom peak in 1951, the Papuan rubber industry las been uneasy due to falling prices md the uncertain Australian market, ifet in this same period the Minister md many other officials have gone m record as saying that “rubber reduction in P-NG must be )oosted”; or that Papua “should be ible to produce all of Australia’s übber requirements”.

Recently the Australian Govern nent imported an expert from Vlalaya to advise on the Papuan ndustry—he probably is still in the territory, or writing a report some vhere.

Rubber planters have repeatedly isked Canberra for some protection or their industry or some indication is to future policy so that they might ilan accordingly but they have been liven no assurances.

When set against planters’ present nd past troubles, governmental plans or expansion of the industry do not nake sense.

Twin boys were born to Mr. and drs. Chaney, on September 21 at he Kavieng Hospital, New Guinea.