PAPUA’S FATE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 402, 8 April 1937, Page 5

PAPUA’S FATE.

No Return to Germany. Rabaul, April 3. Keen, interest has been arotsed here by -a- report that Count Felix von Luckner, ct the Setadler, may visit Australia. Residents expect a revival of the agitation for the return of the Territory to Germany, if von Luckner comes to the Commonwealth. “There should be no slackening of opposition to the German claims,” said Mr H. E. Grose, member of the Legislative council. "Germany wants New Guinea simply as a naval base to challenge Singapore Under the rnandate she has absolute equality in securing the products- ot this country, but she -demands privileged aind exclusive access. “Her population problem was as serious before the War ar ft is now. but. she■sent only handfuls of her people to her colonies. In 1914. of the- 1640 non-indigenous population of New Guinea, only 1150 were Ger mans, after 28 years’ occupancy. From 1921. to 1935, Australia built qp a population of 5668, of whom 2288 are British.”