LATE GERMAN COLONIES.

Press, Issue 16678, 12 November 1919, Page 9

LATE GERMAN COLONIES.

AUSTRALIANS SEEK OPPORTUNITIES. (mOU OUU OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SYDNEY, November 5. ■ There has lately been a marked ex« ' odus of young Australians to the lato German islands, and to other groups whero German interests are being displaced. In the year before the war, about 90 per cent, of the trade of German New Guinea and tho islands administered from Rabaul went dirbct to Germany, and perhaps five per cent, came to Australia. Australia is out to reverse the process. < • Tho Government has not given dodetails of tho system of administration it is proposed to adopt under tho mandate, but tho assurance has beep made that Australian enterprise will be encouraged in every possible way. It has been decided, for instance, to proclaim the Australian Navigation Act so far as these territories are concerned. This means that no steamer will be allowed to trade with thoso territories unless it complies with Australian conditions in regard to the payment and condition of its crew. This will shut out the Dntch und Japanese liners, whoso iio practically right through this region, "and who* were preparing to cany off u large proportion of tho trade to Japan and tho Dutch East Indies. German New Guinea offers splendid opportunities to thoso who would grow coeoanuts, rubber, and similar things, and as soon as tho form of administration is decided upon, the Government will seek to encourago settlement there by every possible means. Its policy so far as the present German settlers there are concerned is still unknown. A Commission of experts who went north and made a hurried examination of these lands which are the subject of the mandate has just returned, and is preparing a report. A hundred problems of administration will probably be settled according to tho recommendations thus received. Every ship which now goe9 north is already crowded with young men eager to be tho first to get what pickings aro available. Many Australians aro going off to German East Africa, and the Malay States, whero discharged soldiers are getting all tho opportunity they can ask for. In East Africa, particularly, the greatest possible encouragement is being given to those who wish to trade or plant, and it is said that there are in this region abundant chances of acquiring rapid wealth.