Ng Handicrafts

Opportunities In

Villagers in the Eastern Highlands District of Papua-New Guinea are making extra money these days by dressing imported rubber dolls in traditional Highland garb.

THERE is a steady demand for such dolls from tourists seeking curios.

The Welfare Section of the Depart ment of Native Affairs initiated the industry at Goroka in 1961 under the supervision of the Welfare Officer, Mrs. Florence Wilkinson. The idea of starting it was that of the then District Commissioner, Mr. H. P.

Seale.

The dolls are 10 in. high. When dressed they are sold through the Welfare Office at Goroka.

Five clans are participating in the industry. The women of each clan dress the dolls in the ceremonial garb of their own clan, and as the dolls normally go in pairs—a man and a woman —lo different styles of dress are now being made.

During the first year, 72 dolls were dressed and sold. Last year the number increased to 432. Now the Welfare Section has been asked to have 1,000 dolls available for sale at the Goroka Show on August 29 and 30.

Opportunities Missed

Yet those people with experience nf the fluctuating business in P-NG handicrafts know that a few dolls— nr model canoes, or carved bowls—

don’t make an industry. There is a big export and tourist industry wait ing for P-NG handicrafts if some body will only organise it as an in dustry and guarantee standards and production.

New Guinea can sell many thousands of the famous Buin baskets, for instance, if only somebody will arrange for them to be made. Re cently an Australian firm asked for £l,OOO worth of baskets, and was told the goods couldn’t be supplied.

Because of this supply difficulty the NG Administration seriously con sidered not including P-NG artifacts

in the marketing booklet which is soon to be produced by the SPC to show overseas buyers just what handi crafts are available throughout the South Seas. The booklet was com piled by Mr. Angus Mcßean after a lengthy survey.

Fortunately, wise counsel prevailed and P-NG agreed at the last minute to make its financial contribution to the booklet. It would have been a tragedy for P-NG if it had been left out, for there is much to offer among local handicrafts.

If their production could be organised!