| 3
%
5)
i=
fo
4 —-
Lo
; 5%
fo)
NY)
[)
Oo
vs
>
fy
x
-
or
C
C
hd
©
@
Q
5
o
—
0
~
om
-~J
>
~
O
oa
+ W
§ ®
3»
3
» ©
¥
2 oO
©
w
wo
Another clause in the contract provided that “in the event of any of the Islands or Groups
of Islands served by the steamships under this Agreement being transferred to any non-British
°r or of the Commonwealth Government being unable to protect effectively the contractors
186 non-British competition at any such Islands or Groups of Islands, the contractors shall
+ the right to terminate the service to such Islands or Group of Islands by giving to the Minister
e months’ notice in writing of such determination,” and, further, that if any question shall
as to whether the Commonwealth Government is unable to protect effectively the
ractors against non-British competition, the question shall be submitted to the Minister,
se decision shall be final ”’
STEAMERS.
The steamers engaged in these services are —
Tong Gross. | Speed Knots.
Date of
Conatruction.
Date of
Entering Services.
Makambo
Morinda
Marsina
¥F Melusia
Mataram
Montoro
Makatea
“Malinoo
,158 8-9
500 10-11
L750 10-11
[,989 10-11
3.351 10-11 |
1,057 | 11-12 |
814 7
RRQ 7
1907
1913
1905
1902
1909
1911
1907
1908
November, 1907
January, 1914
September, 1917
September, 1917
August, 1921
August, 1926
April, 1925
January, 1927
yh,
he a
+ Temporarily relieving s.a Mak
Opinions CONCERNING THE PRESENT SHIPPING FACILITIES.
PAPUA.
In evidence placed before the Committee, the Papuan Administration expressed the opinion
» 80 far as the Territory of Papua was concerned, the existing shipping facilities were proving a
re handicap in the development of the Territory. Its principal exports, such as copra, rubber,
*opper must be sold at world’s prices, and as the freights from Papua to Europe via Australia
.1t was stated, probably the highest ocean freights in the world—copra 90s. per ton deadweight
rubber 105s. per ton measurement—planters received about 30s. per ton less for their products
competitors. Under these conditions, the investment of private capital was prevented, and
development of the Territory retarded. Copra, the principal product of the Territory, had
‘a limited market in Australia, and by being shipped to that country, two freights and the cost
anshipment had to be incurred. Tt was recognized that as time goes on it would be increasingly
sult to keep the trade of the Territory on the Australian route, and impossible, without some
icial help such as a subsidy. Benefit to the Commonwealth would, however, arise from the
tage derived from the transhipment there and from the supplying of return cargoes. In
>vent of the products of the Territory being sent direct to Europe by tramp or other steamers,
sountry’s inward requirements would also eventually come direct from overseas with resultant
to Australia’s export trade. Tt was claimed, therefore, that to balance the disadvantages
te Australian route, the subsidy should be such as to enable a reduction in through freights to
pe from 90s. to 60s. per ton—approximately the freight by direct shipment, and a reduction
ne-third of the freight rates on general cargo between Papua and Australia.
In the opinion of the Administration, the subsidized service should provide for a vessel
ing monthly voyages from Sydney to Papuan ports as at present carried out by the Morinda,
1 was considered that calls should be made at more centres of production —wherever and
1ever a certain minimum quantity of cargo were guaranteed—the following places being
ested :—Milne Bay, Port Glasgow or Baibara, Dedele, and Misima. Such a service, it was
»ended, would be to the interests of producers. and save them the coastal freight and the cost
orage and transhipment.
To carry out the Papuan service, the Administration considered that the steamer should
“about 12 knots speed to allow a full week in Sydney for the fulfilment of orders, should have
mmodation for at least 80 first-class passengers, be cavable of carrying 1.200 tons of cargo.
have gond freezer space.
: As this proposal would provide only twelve mails a year—an insufficient number, in the
opinion of the Administration—it was recommended that to increase the mail services and to
provide better opportunities for passengers and tourists. the subsidized steamer running to