Do You Remember?

20 Years ago.

JULY. 1933, and the Pacific in the economic doldrums. There was not even a funny story in the PIM of that month to lighten the

general gloom: not even a really

good catastrophe—just monotonous

depression.

Here are some extracts from our issue of that month: Copra planters, we said, had all their eggs in one basket—and the copra market had crashed in a manner without pre cedent in recorded history. The problem was, however, for them to have two baskets. Various planters were trying kapok, tung oil, castor oil, coffee, cocoa, etc.—but none were sure of their markets.

It was believed that there was a “good market” for these products "somewhere” —what was needed, we said, was some instrumentality to create the necessary connection between these eager producers and the consumers who were believed to exist, somewhere. * * * An entomologist from the Straits Settlement and FMS (Mr. H. T. Pagden) had arrived in the British Solomons to investigate nutfall which was causing heavy losses in coconut plantations. * * * The continued rise in the price of gold— it had just risen to £A7/17/- per ounce was stimulating gold mining in Papua and New Guinea where prospectors were going out in every direction—Central New Guinea, Ramu River, Bismarck Ranges, into the Papuan mountains, the Yodda and Kokoda areas. (Present price of gold is about twice that amount and the P-NG prospector has become as extinct as the dodo). ❖ ❖ Who said Nondugl did it first? We re ported that: “A successful experiment in breeding sheep suitable for New Guinea has been carried out by Mr. E. J.

Wauchope, of Awar Plantation, Madang.

Contrary to what the experts predicted, he has been able to cross the long-haired Macassar ewes with Shropshire and South down rams and has produced a large bodied sheep suitable for NG conditions.

His flock numbers 180 and produces excellent meat.” ❖ ❖ Specially selected natives from Papua were to be sent to Sydney for six months’ course at Sydney University in the "elements of medicine.” On their return

home they were to do medical work amon their own people. The powers-that-wei in Papua had decided on this course it stead of sending them to Suva for th 4-year AMP course at the Central Medici School. Papua continued this scherr right up until the outbreak of war but since has been abandoned. * * * Queensland meat companies had applie to the Australian Tariff Board for tl imposition of a duty on the importatio of copra. Evidence was given before th Board by Queensland and NSW meat an soap companies—meat companies sul mitting that the free entry of copra wa affecting their sales of tallow to soa manufacturers, and soap companh opposing duty on the grounds that ] would merely mean an increase in th price of toilet soap that the public coul not pay. Mr. J. Mullaly, New Britai planter, also gave evidence and Si Hubert Murray, of Papua, entered protest by radio. * * * There was another scheme for growin sugar up New Guinea way—this time nea Madang in the Mandated Territory. 1 was being promoted by Mr. Leo Horton of Brisbane, and some successful Queens land sugar producers were on the board (But, alas, like most other P-NG sugar growing schemes of the period, H cam to naught.) * * * The death was reported of Judge Gur in American Samoa on the eve of his re turn to Western Samoa from whence hi was deported in 1927 by the NZ authoritie for engaging in Mau (Samoan nationalist' activities. Deported with him had beei Messrs. Smythe and Nelson—Mr. Smythi had returned after three years, but Judgi Gurr and Mr. Nelson had been banishet for five years.

Austin Robertson, champion professional runner of Australia, while en route tc the USA in the Monterey had agreed tc stage a foot race in Suva against some Fiji runners. One Fijian named Jese beai him by half a yard—to the great delight of Suva residents. * * * The Moratorium which the Australian government in 1931 had extended to New Guinea planters who were unable (due to the slump in copra) to keep up the pay-J mehts on plantations bought from the Ex- Pro Board, was extended until June, 1934^