Big Development Plan

For Dutch NG But Parliament Must Approve

A FTER two years’ work, a special commission of the Netherlands Government has produced a 10year development plan for Dutch- New Guinea.

The plan has yet to be debated by the Netherlands Parliament. If approved, it will indicate a signific ant change of Netherlands policy, because the plan is based on close co-operation between Government and private enterprise. Such co operation has not been encouraged since the war by Netherlands officialdom.

The plan provides tentatively that the Government will set up agri cultural, forestry and cattle-breed ing stations at Bird Head, north west and south-west coastal plains and the inland regions of Mem brano, Klamono and Moturi; provide prospectors for nickel, chrome, cobalt and coal; encourage planters to extend rice and cocoa growing areas; hasten education to bring more natives into the civil service; and increase oil production from Klamono and Moturi.

Government and private enter prise finance for the scheme is pro posed, the Government to encour age investment and development with tax relief and subsidies, and the building of roads and ports.