Of Prosperity

Flies in the Ointment Of Prosperity In Papua-New Guinea

Disturbing features of the “general air of prosperity” over Papua-New Guinea were stressed by Dr. J. Andrews (Sydney University) when addressing the geography section of the Australia and New Zealand Science Congress at Sydney in August.

Pointing out that this prosperity rested largely on the price level of copra and expenditure by exploratory oil companies, Dr.

Andrews urged the establishment of native plantations with Government assistance.

A European managerial service could be set up to provide planta tion managers, who would train natives to take over, he said.

Land titles could be invested in the native community, under safe guards, and plantation profits would go to the natives after provision of money to repay the capital outlay.

Dr. Andrews described a success ful native plantation area in the Gazelle Peninsula for which the money had been raised by five native councils.

He said that the shortage of native labour in the Territory was

unlikely to improve as the natives turned to more interesting work.

Goldmining appeared to be declining.

Expansion of coffee and other quick-maturing crops was probable but would be limited by lack of labour and land.

t The New Guinea Club president’, report for the year ended on Jum 30 shows a successful year, witl membership increasing by 27 to 45"

Plans are in hand for the estate lishment of living accommodation for country members, and other imr provements are being made to tlr club building.