AUSTRALIA A GERMAN COLONY!

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 85, 3 January 1918, Page 8

AUSTRALIA A GERMAN COLONY!

BELIEF OF GERMANS IN NEW GUINEA. Mr. Thomas J. M'Mahon, wbo arrived in Sydney last week, is a man of cosmopolitan address. Broadly, ho is generally at home either in one or other of the States of Australia or in the Pacific Islands, whose conditions, in their relation to the Commonwealth, have been the subjoct of his close study. Mr. M'Mahon says i that, by word and by. pen, be has tried to foster a good feeling between thoso islands and Australia on the ground that Australia should be regarded as their motherland. Especially is this applicable, he pointß out, to places liko German New Guinea, the Solomons, and other spots within close rango of the Australian coast.

Mr. M'Mahon'a references to German New Guinea aro of special interest because of the fact that it is now under Australian military occupation, with Sir Samuel Pethebridge as Administrator. "There," says Mr. M'Mahon, "I saw a good deal of the Germans. Tlicy are still there—very much there, ln,deed, so much so that they fail to sea that thoy are going to be defeated. Thej still hold all the interests there. Thoy have done wonders, and have proved unmistakably that German Now . Guinea is a wonderful territory. German New Guinea is a place of such resources, of such prospective wealth,

that should it come under Australian administration and protection after the war it will recoup the Commonwealth for much of its borrowing for war purposes. Most Australians do not -understand that this territory is still German country, governed by German laws, and is merely occupied by an Australian administration under the terms of occupation. My investigations led to the opinion that the Australian administration is most highly successful. Thanks largely to the tact and .firmness of Sir Samuel Petliebridge, the Germans there are behaving themselves well, and are giving 110 trouble. That territory will unquestionably be a very valuable asset to the Commonwealth should it be passed over to it. All the main tropical products aro engaging tho attention of 1 the Germane. Their plantations are becoming wonderfully fruitful and profitable, the rerepvo, since the military occupation, having largely increased. Far from relaxing their efforts because of the occupation, thoy are going vigorously ahead in the firm belief that

it will remain German territory. Some of them have openly expressed to me the strong belief that after the war Australia, too, will be German territory." "My inquiries have taken me to many places made notable by the. late Dr. George Brown. The part that Australians are playing, both in enterprise and in actual investment, in the Solomons is something that cannot escape notice. While English enterprise there is represented largely by Loyer's, the dominating company from the standpoint'of Australian enterpriso is that of Burns, Philp, and Co., Ltd., whose enterprise and courage have proved such big factors in building up the Pacific Island trade. In that connection, that firm has done splendid work, and has not received tho credit which is its due." Mr. M'Mahon proposes to lecturo in all the States on the trade and industry of . the Pacific Islands in their relation to Australia.