Morobe’S Prospects For

Peanuts And Rice

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Wau, Nov. 7.

PEANUT growing is interesting a number of agriculturalists in the Morobe District of New Guinea, and although the chances of establishing a substantial and economically sound industry are favourable, there is much to learn and some probable hardships to be endured by the pioneers before in come from sales exceeds expenditure to a sufficient degree to provide that security necessary to the general stability of the enterprise.

The growers themselves may be unduly optimistic, but at least they are triers. They have backed their faith with their own cash and labour and from the point of view of general development, the Gov ernment would be wise to take an active interest in their welfare.

Fortunately for all concerned, there appears to be a feeling of satisfaction and confidence in the local Department and its officers, and hopes for the future are high.

Growers cannot keep on producing ground nuts without crop rotation to balance soil fertility and the Agricultural Department is in for a busy time investigating the com mercial as well as the agricultural value of the rotation crops to be grown.

Rice is also becoming a first

favourite with local farmers and if a suitable mill could be erected at Lae, production of this commodity would be of considerable volume in a very short time. Many of them are ready to plant rice now if mill ing facilities are made available.

Mr. Alpha F. Ward, son of Mrs.

A. E. Ward and the late Mr. Ward, of Fiji, has been appointed Comp troller of Customs, Trinidad, which position he will assume next June following furlough. Mr. Ward has been stationed at Mauritius since leaving Fiji in 1950.