“GERMAN" NEW GUINEA.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1920, Page 3

“GERMAN" NEW GUINEA.

EXPROPRIATION OF ENEMY PROPERTY. SYDNEY, Oct. 19. It is two years since the war ended, and over a year since the Peace Treaty was signed—but the New Guinea territory, over which Australia received a mandate, is still under military government. The Commonwealth is making haste, with painful slowness, towards the creation of a civil .administration. A huge array of officials —mostly placeseekers of the most pertinacious type—has beep shipped off to the territory, and all sorts of things are promised, but practically nothing haß been I done to make this great wealthy, land I available as a field for Commonwealth i

enterprise. It now appears that the first definite move to replace the Germans by Australians has been made. It was undertaken some time ago, but kept secret A Mr W. H. Lucaß—formerly an impotent member of the ißurns, Philp staff, ancl later engaged by the Federal Government as Pacific Islands Adviserdeparted for Rabaul with a staff of assitants some weeks ago, his mission being to expropriate to the Commonwealth the property of the Germans and German firms in what was formerly German New Guinea. All the properties and plantations of former enemy subjects. ar e being taken over by the Federal Government at a fair valuation. The arrival and the purpose of the mission were oarefujly hidden until the members were actually at work (the

purpose being to prevent the Germans working up fictitious values), but when the Germans discovered what was afoot, there was a sort of panic.. It was too late, however. The mission has wide powors—said by somo to extent even to the examination of private correspondenice while in transit. It is understood that the Federal Government intends to dispose of the expropriated property to ex-Australian m soldiers, under conditions which will permit and encourage the rapid development of the great territory. The nature of the Government’s proposal- 0 how ever j ha,vie not ibeen announced Many people are develop ments suspiciously, for it is known that certain very powerful interests, representing what are practically trusts and monopolies, have hungry eyes on the New Guinea lands and are putting all possible pressure on tbo Government in order to forc e concessions.