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[Page 186]
(7)
With respect to the transport, per "Matunga", of the 50 Troops previously referred to for the relief of the garrison at Frederick Wilhelmshafen, and the return of 100 to 150 troops to Rabaul, I have arranged with Messrs. Burns, Philp and Coy's local Manager and the Captain of the Ship for the payment of £1 per man each way; the troops to provide their own rations and bedding during the voyage, the Captain of the "Matunga" undertaking to afford opportunities for the men to cook their food. Officers will be given saloon accommodation, victualling, and attendance at a rate of £3 per Officer. I have supplied this information in order to facilitate the passing of Burns, Philp & Coy's account when presented in Australia.
From the Collector of Customs at Brisbane I received direct a communication, dated 4th. instant, covering a complaint by Mr. G.W. Whatmore of the Queensland Motor Agency Ltd., that he had supplied some 18 months ago an Auxiliary Motor Boat to a Mr. Whiteman of Rabaul, but had not received payment for the same, nor any satisfactory explanation from Mr. Whiteman. I have seen Mr. Whiteman, who has just returned by the "Matunga" from Australia to Rabaul, and directed him to furnish me with a full explanation of the whole of the circumstances, which, on receipt, I will forward to Australia.
One or two enquiries by wireless telegraph have reached me, as to my action in continuing the German currency in use here, and as to the amount of same amount at present in circulation here. To these I replied fully by wireless, and requested instructions as to whether it was desired that an embargo should be placed upon the same, but to this request I have had no answer, as German money is still in use.
I would point out that my action in this matter was guided by the fact that I have not annexed, but am merely in Military occupation, and that by International Law this is still a German possession, and the German Laws and Customs are still in force, and this carried with it, I take it, the circulation of German currency. With respect to the German paper money, these are not local notes, but issued and guaranteed by well known standard Banks in Berlin, who are not, I am advised, likely to repudiate their liability any more than the Bank of England. However, as to this phase of finance I have no knowledge, and would, therefore, be glad of instructions. But one thing I do know is, that if German Bank Notes are not to be regarded as legal tender, the whole of the business of the Islands will be paralysed, unless the notes in question are retired in some way by British coinage, or the difficulty met in some other way. The resumption of ordinary Commercial business is now pretty well established, and I should be very sorry to see anything occur to disturb the same at this juncture.
On 28th December, at about 2-0 p.m. the following Japanese War Shops arrived at Rabaul :-
Cruiser - "Chikuma" - Captain Sakamoto.
do - "Yahagi" - do H Chio
Destroyer - "Yamakaje" do Kuwashima.
do - "Unikaje" do do
Captain Sakamoto called upon me at 4-0 p.m. and was received by a guard of Honor on the wharf. I returned the call at 5-30 p.m. and was accorded similar Honors. In the evening I entertained the three Captains at dinner at Government House.