NEW GUINEA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19099, 21 August 1936, Page 11

NEW GUINEA

WEALTH OF. RESOURCES MINISTER ‘ S SPEECH SYDNEY, Aug. 11. The vast potentialities of Papua and the mandated territory of New Guinea, and the responsibility of tho Commonwealth for their development, were emphasised by the Minister of Customs, Mr. T. W. While, in an address to members of the National Club yesterday. “There are immense pastoral and agricultural areas, goldfields, and limitless timber. Our responsibilities do not- end with the development, of the -six States of the Commonwealth. If we do not develop these territories fully wo may lose them. They will be taken from our weak fingers by energetic hands.” Mr. White .spoke particularly of the possibility of further important gold discoveries, and of the important part that gold would play in the development, of Die territories. “The lure of gold was what- developed my home. State, Victoria,” he said. "Agriculture followed, after men had been attracted to the diggings. New Guinea was called the Isle" of Gold by its original Spanish discoverer, about the time that Columbus went to America. Right up to tho present- gold has been fonpd there.” Pastoral opportunity, Mr. White said, appeared to be offered in the Raimi Valley and other parts of the territory. He suggested also that fauna should be exchanged between New Guinea and tho mainland.- Kangaroos might be sent, to Southern Papua, and some of tho New Guinea birds, such as the birds of paradise and the hovnbill, might be introduced to at least the northern part of Australia. The control exercised in Now Guinea meant the protection of the natives from exploitation, said the Minister, who praised the work of the young Australians who were in the Government service there. He praised, too. the men who had developed the goldfields- of Edie Creek, and who had pioneered the wonderful aviation industry there.

“They are a fine type of citizen,” lie said ; “men capable of facing all types of difficulty and danger. Many are making fortunes, but many are not. The obligation of developing New Guinea rests upon the individual as well as the Government.”