Mer, Fungus, Shark-Fins

Chinese Buy Beche-De

COMMUNIST China, unable no< to import strategic material from Hongkong, is taking beche-dl mer, fungus and shark fins in e: change for silk, antiques and chin;i ware.

These products of the South Se: are developing into the most impon ant trade from Hongkong, being on of the few ways whereby Communi China is permitted by Britain to ui up her sterling balances there.

Some time ago we drew attentio to a renewed interest by Australis business houses in these Island pn ducts.

One battalion of New Guinn natives is under training in the Ta ritory, the Army Minister told tJ Australian Parliament on October Z He was considering requests that t] number of natives in training shoa be increased and that the border b tween Dutch and Australian N© Guinea should be patrolled.

Mr. T. H. Parker, Collector Customs, Bermuda, is to be tran ferred to Fiji as a Senior Collect! of Customs. He will arrive about tt end of the year.