PAPUAN NORTHERN FRONTIER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2201, 27 May 1908, Page 2

PAPUAN NORTHERN FRONTIER

Tho discussion in Germany, referred to in recent cables, relative to tho boundary line between German and British territory in New Guinea, is a rominder to Australians that the Commonwealth now possesses a frontier. Apparently, too, that frontier is not too well defined, and as undefined frontiers are rich sources of misunderstanding it is well to have the matter proporly settled beforo misunderstanding actually arises. The matter is all the more important in view of tlio fact that both the British and German territories aro mi-neral-bearing, and n sensational ‘‘rush” is an ever-present possibility-. We have only to imagine wliat might happen if some very rich goldfields were located on. disputed territory to see .how very important it is that nothing should be left to chance. It so ballpens that- some of tho most promising of recent discoveries havo been made by Australian miners in the vicinity of what is believed to be German territory, and there is strong reason for supposing that as the country becomes more opened out, and risks to life are gradually reduced, mining development on a very extended scale will become possible. As tho Sydney “Modning Herald”, dealing with- this subject points out, Australians do not want to wait for that time before coming to a businesslike understanding as to the ownership of territory in which considerable private interests may have accrued. Tho suggestion made by the “Cologne Gazette,” that the Gira River, which is somewhat south of the present assumed boundary, ns the dividing line, might, on examination, commond itself as convenient. But it would, of course, require to be scrutinised closely, not necessaraily liecauso it would mean tlio cession to Germany of an . appreciable slice of territory, hut because Australian prospectors have for some time past been at work in the vicinity of the Gira River, and the Commonwealth Government should be careful to protect any interests which they may hive acquired. The matter, however, is one which a little friendly discussion between the Papuan and German New Guinea authorities should be able to satisfactorily settle. It would certainly seem that there is everything to he gained in both territories by permitting the freest scope to prospectors of whatever nationality to test the resources of this great, though ias yet little known, tropical island.