Abstract
IN his Report on the Territorv of Papua for the year ending June, 1919, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Hon. J. H. P. Murray, shows that, as in so many other parts of the world, the scarcity and irregularity of shipping facilities are acting prejudicially to the progress and development of the Territory. This is especially indicated by the decrease of exports upon which the prosperity of the country mainly depends. Rubber alone showed an increase, but the quantity is as yet small (207 tons as compared with 144 tons in 1918). Another important vegetable export, copra, has decreased (2598 tons as compared with 3189 tons in 1918). Native-made copra forms a large proportion of the output, and, owing to variation in the production, this does not increase steadily like the plantation product. The production of sisal hemp has also decreased, whilst the value of all the crops has been much reduced by a fall in prices. The export of the chief minerals, gold and copper, has decreased, but there are good prospects of development and increased production at Port Moresby and Misima Island. The value of the gold was 26,766l. in 1919 as against 33,512l. in 1918. Copper was worth 11,537l. in 1918, but only 1653l. in 1919.
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