Manawatu Evening Standard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1938 NEW GUINEA’S CAPITAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 228, 25 August 1938, Page 10

Manawatu Evening Standard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1938 NEW GUINEA’S CAPITAL.

When the Federal Government decided that Salamaua should replace Rabaul as the capital of New Guinea, consequent upon the disastrous volcanic eruptions of last year, the advice of its expert committee . was ignored. Lae, twenty miles away on the Iluon Gulf, was chosen by this advisory body as being superior to the claims of Salamaua, but the Federal authorities thought otherwise. Since then the advocates of Lae have lost no opportunity to have the decision changed and it seems not without success, for it is now reported from Sydney that the Cabinet has reconsidered the matter with unfavourable disposition towards Lae. Briefly stated, the objections raised against making Salamaua the new capital are its isolation, malarial condition, the prevalence of blackwater fever, and a tendency to experience tidal waves. That there must be a new capital has been recognised since Rabaul was seriously damaged by the eruptions which, on the authority of the Dutch and Australian scientific experts who investigated the area, may occur again right in the heart of the volcanic zone. Planting and trading interests established -at Rabaul have opposed any change, arguing that seventy years had elapsed since the last serious eruption, and the dislocation that would be caused was not warranted in the circumstances. But Rabaul will still continue to be a trading and shipping centre, serving the coconut plantations of New Britain. Lately, there have been earth, tremors at Salamaua accompanied by a tidal wave, and these have raised further doubts about its suitability as the capital site; but being non-volcanic in nature they are not regarded as a serious menace to life and property, and they occur right throughout New Guinea. Salamaua has several advantages which no doubt first influenced the Federal Cabinet—a sheltered harbour, an aerodrome and a situation on the Mainland close to the goldfields. Moreover, a proposed road to Wau would develop communications with the goldfields and pave the way for other to open up the agricultural hinterland.

Change of administrative headquarters is not a new thing for New Guinea. Before Rabaul was finally chosen by the Germans in 1910 administration was directed from four other places in turn, as these pioneering colonists struggled against malaria and the primitive natives. Under Australian mandate the territory lias made excellent progress and.in its development gold and aviation have been most conspicuous. Named the “Island qf Gold” four centimes ago, it gave proof of the title when the precious metal was

struck on Edie Creek. In recent years gold lias amounted to almost seventy per cent, of the total value of tke territory’s exports, and in tlie working of tke rick auriferous areas tke aeroplanekas proved of tke greatest value. Apart from gold-mining New Guinea Goldfields, Ltd., drew attention to tke great prospects for tke lumber industry, rubber, coffee, and copra, lload communications, however, are a vital necessity before production of these products can be undertaken on tke scale the magnificent agricultural hinterland offers to commercial enterprise. It is hoped that, with tke transfer of tke capital to tke mainland, this development will be speedily undertaken and the richness of the territory exploited to make it an increasingly valuable economic asset of the Commonwealth. Tke country is also of considerable strategic importance to Australia, a fact which kas long been recognised. In their administration of tke mandated territory tke Federal authorities have been conspicuously successful.