Training D.O’S.

A Few Remarks About Prestige.

Letter to the Editor from a well-known planter and returned soldier, resident in New Guinea.

"FAIR COMMENT,” probably with unconscious candour, has corroborated my statement about the inexperi ence of D.O.’s and A.D.O.’s. He freely admits, almost boasts, that cadets dur ing their first two years’ service act as patrol officers.

Patrol officers, for the purpose of tax collecting, automatically become A.D.O.’s and carry out plantation in spections, “nominally for experience”— “Pair Comment’s” own words. Then he marvels that responsible planters complain of having to supply that ex perience at the cost of demoralised labour gangs. I thank “F.C.” for his lucid, yet subtle, explanation and trust the honest fellow is not transferred to the Sepik for his exposure of typical Government economy.

Have you, Mr. Editor, space for a ramble in the “Fair Comment” manner’

Thank you!

Of the multitude of jobs performed by D.O.’s and listed by “F.C.,” one was omitted—that of writing reports; I saw one such from an A.D.O. It stated; “I examined the body and found it in a discrepant and emancipated condition and in an advanced state of purification.’'’

As regards surveying, a D.O. inspected land I was buying. He arrived with a

prismatic compass and asked if I could work same, as he could not.

As regards law, an A.D.O. recently in one afternoon tried two cases: (1) For an armed assault on a white man, a native was sentenced to one month’s calaboose; (2) For swearing at another native, one native was sentenced to two months.

I do not think that ex-offlcers of the navy, army and air force with years of Island experience, whom I had in view as suitable officials, would have been guilty of any of above.

“Fair Comment” glories in the fact that 33-1/3 per cent, (his own figures) of cadet expense is wasted, and pro claims a victory for the System. This is not considered success in private en terprise. Rumour hath it impending “resignations” will swell the wastage to 50 per cent. (Loud cheers!—Success still greater!) “F.C.” cites Larkin and Burke. Had the officials been stronger—i.e., the natives been kept in hand —neither man would have found it necessary to take the law into his own hands, and Larkin —a sick man, in a very isolated posi tion —would not have been attacked on his own verandah. Neither man is to blame; nor are the natives any more than unruly children, provided with weak and incompetent teachers. The psychology of the Kanaka demands strength in a leader, as it was in the days of all-powerful chiefs, who punished disobedience with death. And so it is to-day. In most cases, the natives are only a few years removed from that time and cannibalism.

It is tragic that with notable excep tions the weakest men in the Islands to-day are the D.O.’s and A.D.O.’s, who

should be our leaders. It is a very significant fact that the worst massacre in recent years, when four white men were killed and several wounded, was caused by the conduct of a Government patrol through that (Nakanai) area.

Then years ago on plantations the boys worked cheerily with great outbursts of sing-singing and chi-iking. Now they botch their jobs in a sullen, brooding silence.

An old paramount chief who served under both Governments, and has closely observed the change, told me the English (the word Australian is un known outside of the towns) could never have beaten the Germans except by a trick— “German, he strong too much” — remark pregnant with the feel ing of the Kanaka to-day. Just imagine returned soldier pioneers being forced to form a Protection Association. Shades of Bulaminski!

Recently, conditions have improved immensely, to the satisfaction of all parties and all colours, and it is to be hoped the effort has not been made too late to raise this Territory to the verit able paradise it should be for both black and white.

I am, etc.,

“Malolo.”

New Ireland, August 24, 1933.

The “Karetu” left Suva, Fiji, for New Zealand on August 11 and carried 4,976 cases of bananas and 410 tons of general cargo for Auckland. About 26 tons of general cargo were also car ried for Sydney.