New Proposals

On Milne Bay

From a Special NG Correspondent A proposal to move the adminis trative centre of the Milne Bay dis trict of Papua to some place other than Samarai is again in the air.

The cost these days would be tremendous compared to just after the war, but, even so, providing an area is selected which allows plenty of room for expansion, with gardens and small industries, the result would be beneficial to all and would possibly mean the beginning of a new period of prosperity for this district.

There are places with more natural facilities than Samarai waiting to be exploited. Several places in Milne Bay offer potential hydro electric power and will bear in vestigation. Milne Bay already has a good airstrip and the wartime loads are still trafficable.

Wharves have fallen to pieces and the one in Samarai is in need of major repairs at the moment, too.

Commercial firms would have to follow the Administration eventually and, although the initial cost would be high, the reduction in cost of living, etc., would probably more than pay in the end. Native garden ers would have a larger market for their produce instead of the very limited ones at present. One very big thing is that natives, who have learnt trades, would have an oppor tunity to reap the benefit of them and be able to have their own gardens at the same time.

There are many who are keen to see the move take place, despite the cost.