Chinese in New Guinea

Front-Page Storm In Australia

STATEMENTS about the activities of New Guinea Chinese, at tributed to Mr. John Allen and “a deputation of ex-servicemen planters in New Guinea,” achieyed sensational headlines in Australian Sunday newspapers of September 6; and equally prominent repudia tion by Minister, high officials, other planters and the Chinese leaders, in the following fortnight.

There are only about 2,300 Chinese in New Guinea —none in Papua—an increase of perhaps 250 since 1945. They are deeply en trenched in small stores, and pro vide most of the Territory’s artisans. They are industrious and frugal and, whenever money is needed to close a bargain, they have the cash. Politically, they keep well in the background.

The economic strength of the Chinese community has grown re markably since World War 11.

They own huge capital. As a result, they are now reaching out con stantly after properties developed by Europeans; and their readiness to pay high prices, in prompt cash, when chances have occurred in very recent years, has caused perturbation among Europeans.

The success of the Chinese in acquiring valuable Stockholm Plan tation (north New Britain), Musau Island plantation, various township blocks at Rabaul, and leases of plantations in the Bougainville area, started a crop of rumours to the effect that the Chinese are be ing assisted by “refugee” money from Red China.

Various incidents bearing on these conditions were quoted by Mr. Allen. It was further stated by him that the now large Chinese fleet of small trading vessels was being used for smuggling Chinese immigrants into New Guinea and Australia, and that, while the Chinese were ready to buy up plan tations in being, they would not go out as pioneers and bring virgin country into bearing.

Minister Hasluck quoted figures and official data in a flat denial of the truth of all these charges against the Chinese.

Mr. Bernard Chan, of Rabaul, announced that his firm (Alois Akun & Co.) would pay £l,OOO for every Chinese illegally in New Guinea, and £2 for every £1 of Red China money proved to have been provided for the benefit of Chinese in New Guinea. The challenge was not accepted.

Mr. E. T. Fulton, president of the Planters’ Association of NG, an nounced on September 26 that his Association knew nothing of Red China money in use in New

Guinea or of the illegal entry of Chinese.

Nothing more was heard of Mr.

Allen and his charges. But the “e iftoought U s S ha U rply PU u P n°d S er public n °the e fact energetic and growing Chinese community in New Guinea demands a definite status in the Territory, and a place

in the Administration’s policies. At present, it has neither, and this inevitably will lead to inter-racial trouble.

Chmbs^First-Tke!,

TVESPITE Ministerial soothing- JLr syrup, the inter-racial situa tion is not good; and the Chinese themselves are contnbut

ing something to mutual suspicion and unease.

For example, there arrived re cently in Rabaul Lieut.-Colonel K. W. Yan —born in Rabaul, edu cated at the Methodist Mission there, served in the Chinese Nationalist Air Force for 20 years, and acquired some decorations and higher education. Our Rabaul correspondent interviewed him, and reports:— We spent most of the time Wrangling on the subject of which language the Chinese youngsters here should concentrate on.

Yan said: “That is my crusade— that every Chinese child should learn to read and write Chinese first. And then, of course, they should learn English.”

Asked why, he said: “Because Chinese history is 3,000 to 4,000 years old ... I have been to America, Burma, India, and every where there are Chinese com munities like this one at Rabaul, and they all read and write Chinese. That is their language.”

I pointed out that the children were born here; their children would most likely be born here; they were being educated at the expense of the Australian tax payer; they would get their liveli hood here; and I asked him, was it fair to turn them so completely towards China.

To which he smilingly replied; “I don’t know.”

Chinese As Pioneer

Settlers

RABAUL’S older Chinese will remember the 3,000 acres of land behind Keravat Experi mental Plantation, on which young Chinese 20 years ago were to be settled. It happened during Brig.- General Griffiths’ second term as Administrator. The land was set aside, a number of Chinese applied and then, nothing.

A year ago, New Britain District Advisory Councillor, Mr. C H \leen, was asked to sound out his fellow-countrymen’s willingness to aioneer land development. Each Chinese would be offered a block )f 50 hectares. Adjoining that land vould be a further 50 hectares.

When, after 3 to 5 years, it was ound that the farmer had utilised ns 50 hectares, he would be granted a second 50 hectares. If he plan was successful it would nean that 10 families would be nltivating 1,000 hectares.

At a Council meeting a few nonths later, Mr. Meen was asked mether any of the young Chinese iad shown interest in the plan.

Ie replied that they would like to now more about the project first -particularly the location, com tt™^ca^ons, r °ads and amenities.

The matter came up again at he Council on September 21. Mr Jarrett expressed disappointment hat nothing further had been ieard from Mr. Meen about the

Chinese response to the plan. He thought the difficulties raised by the Chinese were not difficulties in fact. The Chinese would rather buy areas already planted than go into a new area and start planting Mr. Meen replied that it all depended on the locality of the settlement. “I have contacted Chinese parties here, and they

II During the absence abroad of Sir Lala and Lady Sukuna, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. P. Borron, of Mago Island, in the Lau group, have been occupy ing the Borrons’ well-known an cestral house, on Tamavua heights, Suva. Ever since they returned from abroad, last year, Mr. Borron has been more or less nursing a

have asked me to sav that the gesture made by the Administration is welcomed by the Sse com munity; but »V«l a conm”e plan of this project ”

Mr. Meen pointed out that the Chinese had successfully pioneered copra production, especially in New Ireland, during the German regime regime,

troublesome leg; and, as their two big sons now can manage the plantations on Mago, they moved over to Suva, in June, for a rest.

This has been of much benefit to “JHP”. Sir Lala Sukuna is back in Suva, and Mr. and Mrs. Borron have returned to the Lau archipelago.