Desertions Rubber Copra Marketing Road

P-NG PLANTERS MEET TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLE[?] Desertions Rubber Copra Marketing Road

The shortcomings of the Native Labour ordinance were di: cussed at length at the conference of the New Guinea Planter Association concluded in Rabaul in mid-August. The report the Papuan Planters’ Association, released about the same tim was concerned about the unsatisfactory price of rubber.

IN Rabaul, particular concern was expressed at the continued high rate of desertions among labourers employed under agree ment, and the apparent failure of the Administration to properly police the movements of deserters, or to proceed against employers who wrongfully engaged natives already under agreement.

The conference decided to refer to all members the question of an in crease in the basic monthly wage of native employees, which is at present a 15/- minimum, although few planters pay as little as this.

The conference considered that an increase to at least £1 a month was warranted, in view of the rise in cost of commodities since the present basic minimum was intro duced about 1945, at the end of the war.

The conference also expressed the view that land should be acquired promptly for settlement and that an immediate survey should be made throughout the Territory by the Administration to determine what areas of agricultural land were suitable.

The conference considered that the fullest publicity should be given to the results of this survey, as settlers were needed urgently “in view of pressing world opinion in relation to vacant and undeveloped land.”

Other matters discussed were the unification and improvement of copra inspection methods, and the possibility of visits to the Territory by overseas copra and cocoa experts to advise and assist growers.

The conference elected Mr. Don Barrett president for the new year.

REPORT of the Planters’ Assn., Papua, states that copra and cocoa growers have enjoyed very satisfactory market prices during the year but the same cannot be said for rubber planters.

The market for rubber fell as low as 20 pence a pound f.o.b. Papuan ports and this, while difficult for all growers, was in the case of some planters, below the cost of produc tion.

The report said that it was only in recent weeks that an upward trend has restored the price to about 24 pence, which can only be re garded as a minimum level. A price of 2/6 a pound is required to give a fair return to investors and to encourage and enable continued de

velopment and maintenance of :

mature areas.

Some points from the report: COCONUTS: Once again we are abh look forward with confidence to the mediate future of the copra industry, i SVz years still to run under the long-t UK Ministry of Food Agreement.

For the remaining period of the Agi ment we expect that copra will be s as at present, through the Copra Marl ing Board and once again your Comm! has pleasure in noting the most efflci service which the Copra Marketing Bo has given to the copra industry.

After 1957, copra marketing arran ments cannot at present be foreseen, this stage it does not appear likely t UK Ministry of Food will wish to rei the contract and certainly, in the r two years, coconut planters should m arrangements for marketing after expiration of the contract and not le this vital matter to last minute negoi tion.

Among considerations which merit thought of all concerned is the possibil with the assistance of the Minister Territories, of retaining the organisat of the Copra Marketing Board in present, or like form, as a sei Government instrumentality, to mar copra from this country as a bulk se negotiating with the voice of the Cc monwealth Government. To achieve tl it would probably be necessary for majority of planters to agree to sell tb copra through this channel.

Your Committee will seek the views our friends. The Planters’ Association New Guinea, in this most import; matter.

RUBBER: Although the low mar price has created serious difficulties rubber-growers, a pleasing feature 1 been the quite considerable progress new development work. Most of i rubber estates now have new plant: programmes in hand, with high grs material.

Members are to be congratulated on marked improvement and uniformity grading, packing and branding of Papu rubber.

No serious pests or diseases have bi reported during the year, but the mi important advance has been made control of mouldy rot by the use Treseal and also in bark stimulation.

Rubber growers continue to feel tl it is unjust that Papuan rubber sho’ be subject to an import duty of 2d ] lb into our parent market in the Coi monwealth of Australia. We acknowleo the assistance of the Minister for Ten tories in arranging for a recent c: survey of the industry, with the purpn of bringing this matter before the Tai Board.

We will not attempt to forecast t rubber market but recent indications s toward a slightly stronger price. This M been brought about by increased wo< consumption and a small increase in fr price of some synthetic competitors.

The expected world surplus of natui

her did not eventuate last year and the present year it is expected that ,1 world production will be consumed, the present rate of increase in con iption is maintained, there may well a shortage of rubber. It is expected, ever, that synthetic production will increase and that the price for iral will be closely related to the ng price of synthetic general purpose iers. It is expected that synthetic es will rise when US plants are taken • by private enterprise.

OMMUNICATIONS: The continued de pment of communication is perhaps the t important essential to further agri ural progress in this country. is pleasing to note that the Admlnis ion is doing as much as its finances permit in the extension and main mce of roads. Progress is being made i the new road from Port Moresby to losia and it is hoped that this will be ;nded through to the Hisiu Beach and e Island areas. Much maintenance been done on the main road to the ortant agricultural area at Sogeri, and hope that the Administration will be ! to give some assistance to our mem i at Jawarere and in the maintenance improvement of the last 10 miles of road from Subitana to Jawarere. i due course, the development of roads the Abau area would open up much 1 planting land.