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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