Impressive Tour.

Minister Returns from N.G. and Papua.

THE Minister for Territories, Major the Hon. C. W. C. Marr, struck an optimistic note when interviewed on his return by the “Macdhui” from his tour of the Mandated Territory and Papua.

The administration in Papua, he said, had always been noted for its loyalty and efficiency, and though the country was passing through hard times he looked forward with assur ance to its splendid development, side by side with the advancement of the territories of New Guinea. The Gov ernment’s policy was having a happy effect.

Mr. Marr said he was greatly im pressed with the calibre of the men appointed to the new Legislative Council of New Guinea. They had applied them selves assiduously to the task of self government. He expressed high praise for Guinea Airways, which he regarded as being the finest organisation of its kind in the world. The pilots carried out flights with almost monotonous regularity over country where a slip would spell disaster.

Mr. Marr said the Upper Ramu and Purari districts, the outer fringes of which had only been touched, harboured an estimated population of 200,000, very few of whom had ever been brought into contact with white people. They would require the most careful handling, for should they, owing to any unfortunate act, turn hostile, they would immediately con stitute a most serious menace to the ultimate development of the territory.

At present, they wer e a potential force for either good or evil.

Though his stay in the territories was comparatively short, Mr. Marr covered an enormous amount of

ground and saw all phases of life.

Especially was he interested in the goldfields.

Goldfields Visit.

When last month’s issue of the “Pacific Islands Monthly” went to press, Major Marr was at the gold fields, most of the centres of which were visited by his party. Two ’planes were chartered and took off from Bulowat for a flight to Ramu, where some time was spent. At Bena Bena later in the day, the party was met by Warrant Officer Irvine. Mr. Marr talked with Mr. Nason Jones, a geologist formerly employed in oil searches in the Territory but now pros pecting for gold, who spoke of the 25 prospectors now in the area.

Returning via Ramu, Mr. Marr was greeted by many hundreds who had assembled —armed and dressed for the occasion—at the aerodrome and was welcomed through an interpreter as the “Big Kiap.” The Assistant District Officer, Mr. March, Mr. Morley, Mining Warden, and Mr. and Mrs. Peden were the only Europeans at the post. The party afterwards flew to Lae via Bulo wat and joined the “Macdhui.”

Welcome From Missions.

Enthusiastic welcomes were given the party at Finschafen on May 15, when a landing was made at night. All the Lutheran Mission natives, bearing torches, were assembled near the jetty and a native band played. Mr. and Mrs. Marr were carried shoulder high to the Mission. An equally warm wel come was waiting at Alexishafen the next day. The party was shown over the Mission by Bishop Wolf and saw natives spearing fish and shooting with bows and arrows.

The “Macdhui” berthed at Madang in the evening and Mr. Marr was received by a guard of honour under the famous sergeant Bewa, the companion of the late C. J. Levien on his many patrols in search of “Sharkeye” Park.

Beautiful weather accompanied the party on this part of the tour and the beauty of the journey was greatly admired. Especially did the Minister express delight at the approach to Kavieng which the “Macdhui” reached at midday on May 16. Mr. Marr met informally representatives of re turned soldiers and planters and showed much interest in the native school. After a drive along the east coast road, the party were entertained by the Kavieng Club and later left for Pondo en route to Rabaul.

At Bougainville.

Although he desired to remain in Rabaul to attend to administration busi ness, the requests of Bougainville resi dents were so insistent that Mr. Marr paid a hurried visit to that part of the Territory. He was accompanied by the Administrator, Brigadier-General Grif fiths so that business could be attended to en route. Travelling on the Gov ernment schooner “Poseidon” he called at Sohano Island, where hundreds of Buka Passage natives were waiting.

Mr. Marr presented the luluais with tobacco and the natives manned 15 canoes for a race. A visit was also made to Soraken.

Farewell “Sing Sing."

Meanwhile arrangements for the final festivities of the tour were made at Rabaul and on Mr. Marr’s return 2000 natives assembled at Mount Tomah for a farewell dance. On arrival at the scene of the “sing sing” Mr. Marr saw hundreds of natives while from the bush came weird singing. Suddenly a drum was beaten and hundreds of gaily decorated Tambuans emerged from the bush. With them came a band, singers appeared and the Tambuans danced in perfect time. They were followed by Duk Duks wearing tall head-dress.

Still more drums came, more singers and more dancers, till the large area was full of dancing groups, men and women. An old man, bearded and decorated with a collar of dog’s teeth, directed the proceedings which followed an ordered design, while an “orchestra” of two dozen men beat drums and sang. More and more dancers joined the throng and the Bainings came per forming a snake dance. Though the party were intensely interested, Mr.

Marr had to leave on business before the “sing sing” was concluded.

No Complaints.

A feature of Mr. Marr’s visit to New Guinea was the singular lack of com plaints from residents. On a previous visit to the Territory Mr. Marr received more than 170 deputations. Now the Territory seems to have settled down, though the continued low price of copra has hit many planters.