Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/470

 418

THE BRITISH EMPIRE :— PAPUA

their object the direct benefit of the natives. The education will be chiefly undertaken by the missions aided by grants from the taxation fund.

Years ended 30 June

Local Revenue

Expenditure

Import*.

Exports

Tonnage

entered and

cleared

1916 1917 1918 1919 1920

£ 49,311 62,920

72,594 73,121 85,537

£

77,913

83,740

103,176

102,962

118,437

£

223,040 271,640 283,792 258,112 422,741

£ 125,428 156,535 220,599 176,247 270,405

Tons 247,887 281,008 121,727 216,341 128,127

Revenue is mainly from customs duties. An annual subsidy is given by the Australian Government (30, 0002. in 1919-20). In addition, 27,5002. has been loaned to the Territory for the establishment of Government plan- tations, to be repaid from profits on the plantations. On June 30, 1919, the Government plantations covered 1,701 acres. Commonwealth grants are also made for various purposes. It is hoped that Papua will soon be self-supporting.

There are 8 proclaimed mineral fields in the Territory, seven of which are gold fields, and 1 copper. Gold mining is one of the most important industries, and claims the attention of about 108 adult Europeans. Gold is obtained in the Louisiade Islands, on the mainland, and on Woodlark Island. A large area near Port Moresby with promising copper deposits has been proclaimed a mineral field, and this is being vigorously developed by a strong company, which is now (1920) building a railway from the field to the coast where smelters are to be erected. Electric power from the Rouna Palls is also to be developed. Copper ore exports in 1916-17, 1,323 tons, valued at 14,0502.; in 1917-18, 1,112 tons valued at 11,5722. ; in 1918-19,224 tons valued at 1,6132. In 1919-20 nocopper ore was exported. In 1916-17 the gold output was valued at 37,9872. ; 1917-18, 32,9312.; 1918 19, 21,550/.; 1919-20, 21,7472. Indications of petroleum have been found over an area of 1,000 sq. miles, and boring by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is now (1920) proceeding on behalf of the Australian Government. The trade is princi- pally with Queensland and New South Wales. The chief imports are food- stuffs, tobacco, drapery and hardware ; exports, copra (1918-19, 2,598 tons, 53,2642., 1919-20, 4,079 tons, 124,0072.); sisal hemp (1918-19, 287 tons, 12,5322.; 1919-20, 337 tons, 12,2842.); pearl shell, gold, pearls, mangrove bark, copper ore, timber, rubber (1918-19, 207 tons, 33,0102. ; 1919-20, 242 tons, 41,5422.), Number of horses (1918), 338 ; cattle, 1,331 ; mules, 65.

Large steamers trade between Sydney and Port Moresby every three weeks, and small coastal steamers run at frequent regular intervals between the various inter-territorial ports. Oil launches and numerous cutters are also employed on the local trade. Ocean-going shipping entered and cleared 1919-20, 59,189 tons. There are wireless telegraph stations at Port Moresby, Samarai, and Misima.

There is a branch of the Bank of New South Wales. Commonwealth Government notes are legal tender. The currency and its legal tender are the same as in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Books of Referenoe- Annuai Reports of Lieutenant-Governor. The Imperial Blue Book. London. Government Handbook of too Territory of Papua. British New Guinea (Queensland) Act of 1887. Brisbane, 1888.