European Enterprise

In Ng Highlands

What New Settlers Are Up Against

rERE has been an important development in the Highlands of New Guinea where, under he leadership of Mr. George Great lead (formerly District Commis ioner there, and now manager of he Cottee fruit-pulping establish nent) the new European settlers ave formed a Farmers’and Settlers’

Association, ;for mutual self-help ,nd the development of the area.

Meetings were held in Goroka on uly 1 and 5 and among those pre ent were Messrs. Greathead chairman), Clarke, Wells, Mac arlan, Blackley, Primrose, Riley, Vallace, Lane, Wilson, J. L. Tay- Dr, James Leahy, Noel Stagg.

Some interesting history, and re iews of settlement efforts, were iven by the various speakers— specially Mr. Greathead — and dis ,ppointment was expressed that so ittle real help had been given by he Australian Government to the leturned Soldiers League, in its ittempts to get servicemen estab ished in the areas as primary pro lucers.

The consensus of opinion was hat suitable men, land and oppor unities existed in the Highlands or large-scale and valuable de velopment of the rich “pockets” in he area; but that initiative and jrogress now were hamstrung be :ause of the total absence of any nstitution, whether provided by Government or banks, to provide lecessary finance. The provision of ;apital was essential to further de velopment; and that meant that the Government must take steps to msure titles for land—the basis of ill rural finance.

Between July 1 and 5, a delega :ion from the new Association inthe Administrator (Bri gadier Cleland), who said he wel comed the new organisation. The delegation discussed with him such matters as the establishment of a Land Settlement Scheme; rationa lisation of air services affecting the Highlands; the scope of the pro

posed home-building plan—and Mr.

J. L. Taylor, on behalf of the dele gation, reported afterwards that “the picture looked considerably brighter than most of us had be lieved.”

The members of the new body now are drafting a Constitution.

EDITORIAL NOTE: There has been astonishing progress made in European settlement in the High lands; but the settlers cannot get much further forward without help.

There is the same spirit of indivi dual enterprise apparent in the Markham Valley, in New Britain—

in fact, all over the Territory. But it is slowing down because of insufflcient finance. The Administrator is eager to help; but, so far, he has not been able to say one word nublicly to indicate that necessary finance is to be provided ... All appeals appear to be beating hopelessly upon three barriers—first, a Minister who talks a great deal but provides no concrete developmental plan for the future. Second, the blank wall of the Trusteeship

system, which insists that land ownership generally shall be re served for the natives—-only limited areas can be made available, undei a form of lease that does not m terest financial institutions. Third, an implacable Departmentalism centred in Canberra, that is re tarding local administration and crippling enterprise generally. The Hasluck-Lambert combination is being increasingly criticised throughout the Territory.