Unemployment

[?] Guinea Native

[?]rentes Problems

From a Rabaul Correspondent

Sounding a gloomy warning on he Territory’s economic posi ion, Mr. A. J. Bretag of Morobe District Advisory Council , has aid that falls in world prices or coffee, cocoa and peanuts sere causing widespread concern mongst rural workers. r HAT Councillor Bretag’s warning boiled down to was that de ssed prices were causing unemamongst natives and a eral move to urban areas.

Tiis is an age-old problem not uliar to native societies.

Tie stepped-up education pro nme has also brought about a dy inflow of “semi-educated in ;nes whom we are unable to arb into industry and who are king around in urban areas dis sfied and discontented in being ble to satisfy their newly acquired is and desires,” Councillor Bre told a recent Morobe District dsory Council meeting.

Tiough not tracing the problem k to falling prices, the same ques has been raised by other coun including Rabaul’s Town Advis- Council. peaking at a recent meeting, DO East New Britain, Harry West, that there was an indication of ving unemployment amongst na s in some part caused by natives iging their families with them n they moved to urban areas, hat unemployment is on the ease is certainly evidenced by iter numbers of vagrants roaming aul’s streets, day and night, and almost incessant requests for k made upon the householder and nessman.

Ihe government could repatriate e natives,” Harry West told ncil, “but this would be expen and only encourage others to ie to the town.” ouncillor John Chipper, MLC, le a practical suggestion—that e sort of work for fare be intro ?d. e suggested that vagrant or in nt persons be made to work a ain period of time to secure re passage to their home areas, his is one way of combating the

)lem of unemployment—by re

moval. But in the long run it merely means the problem is being shelved and will recur almost immediately while the native retains complete freedom of movement.

It is of little use and less sense to urge education and progress upon a native people if they are not per mitted to enjoy the benefits of it.

If we speak of progress we must deliver—and if we urge that these people must work towards their eco nomic future it is incumbent upon the Government to provide work which in return will assure a higher standard of living.

Easier said perhaps than done— but the answer lies in emphasising to the rural worker the importance of his role to his country’s economic structure—and in introducing without too much further to-do the very necessary secondary industries with out which no country can exist economically.