Untitled - Papuaerfgoed.org

464 INDUSTRIE
several small saw-mills for local requirements. Triplex is made in a new factory
of Commonwealth New Guinea Timbers Ltd at the rate of 70 tons per day,
mostly for export.
Furniture factories. Before 1950 furniture was imported from Indonesia, but is
now supplied from the Netherlands. The freight is of course high (f 149,per
m 3 ). It is considered possible to manufacture it locally. The results of
missiontraining at Miei (now discontinued) show that the Papuan has ability for
this trade. Instruction and technical schools will no doubt bring about the
required results. Value of imports in Dutch N.G. in 1952 more than f ½ million
(rough estimate) and in Australian New Guinea in 1951-1952 £A 58 425 for
wooden and £A 16 784 for cane furniture.
Building materials (bricks, tiles, prefabhouses, lime burning, cement). Most of
this has to be imported, which is a costly undertaking, on account of heavy
weight and high freight charges. Limeburning is carried on here and there.
Cementstone is manufactured at Hollandia by drying a mixture of cement and
fine ground limestone of local origin. A curious import item in both New
Guineas are the prefabhouses.
Pottery making. At Seroei Laoet pottery making is carried on by the women
as a home industry, like also in some Australian localities.
Tannins (Cutch). The existence of vast areas of mangrove forests make possible
the production of cutch. The fact that these forests are situated on the coast
simplifies the transport problem. Experts are of opinion that in order to be viable
a cutch factory must work up 500 tons of wet bark a day. For a 20 years harvest
cycle such a factory would need about 6,000 hectares of tidal forest. Investigations
have revealed several areas where such a factory might be built (Steenkool,
Etna Bay, Babo). In Kikori (Papua) a cutch plant is under construction. Capacity
3000 tons of cutch per annum.
Metalindustries, Shipbuilding. Construction has begun of a shipyard for small
vessels such as coasters, steel and timber lighters, copra schooners, etc. This
will greatly simplify New Guinea's transport problem. Owing to the lack of
a local industry it was necessary recently to order a number of vessels from
Holland, including four 20 ton and four 50 ton lighters and three small coasters.
The new wharf will also be able to repair ships up to ab. 3000 tons weight
(5000 tons waterdisplacement).
Textile and clothing industries, including bags. As the Papuans come more into
contact with the Western way of life, their clothing needs increase. The extent to
which it may be possible to absorb the native population in the manufacture of
textiles can be investigated. Attention is drawn to the manufacturing of simple