Conduct Of Papuan

Students

THERE is likely to be some stir concern ing the conduct in Sydney of the Motuan youths, who were sent down from Papua a few months ago to undergo at the Sydney University a special course of training in the work of medical assistants.

The young natives have been provided with accommodation at the Quarantine Station, near Manly, and it is alleged that some of them have spent a portion of their leisure time in the company of young European girls. Nothing of an improper character is alleged, as far as we know, but the fact of the association itself is held in sharp distaste by various people with a knowledge of social conditions in the Melanesian Islands; and there is very strong resentment concerning the latitude which has been allowed the Papuan stu dents.

We do not know who is responsible for the supervision of the lads while they are in Sydney; but whoever it is is likely soon to be under very sharp cross-fire from a section of the Sydney press, which is in teresting itself in the matter.