to His Job

A New Administrator Settles Down to His Job

THE appointment of a new Administrator is always a matter of outstand ing importance in the Pacific Territories.

Administrators usually hold enormous power; and on their vision and judg ment depend the welfare of large popu lations and important interests.

Brigadier-General Ramsay McNicoll took charge of New Guinea eight months ago, and, as His Honour now has had time to settle down, we asked Gordon Thomas to write his impressions of the new regime.

By Gordon Thomas.

WHEN New Guinea first learned that Brigadier-General McNicoll, C.B., C.M.G., etc., one-time A.D.C. to the Governor-General, and a Headmaster and Principal of various seats of learn ing, was to be appointed Administrator of the country, there was considerable ado of a speculative nature. There was dread of the introduction of a militaristic-auto cratic-political atmosphere, which is not altogether appreciated by the average dweller under tropical conditions. There was the fear that the easy-of-approach policy, inaugurated by General Griffiths, might be superseded by a system of bureaucratic barricades, and that the political-complex might be predominant in the Chief Executor’s make-up.

It was with mixed feelings of hope and curiosity that the crowd watched the erect, spare figure of the new Administra tor step off the “Mataram” on September 13th and, in company with the Chief Judge, inspect the guard-of-honour.

General McNicoll marched right into harness: for on the day following his arrival he opened the Third Session of the Legislative Council, and at this function the strength of his personality and his keen perceptiveness were demonstrated.

He couid not but sense the tense atmo sphere that filled the Council Chambers on that morning, when he rose to reply to the Deputy Administrator’s speech of wel come, after the swearing-in ceremony, and with the same keen observation he must have realised, after his address, in which he sought the co-operation of the in dividual as well as of the community, that there was a relaxation in the tenseness of the audience, and that his candid appeal for co-operation for the good of the Terri tory had won him many friends, whose objects were the advancement and welfare of New Guinea.

During the few months since his arrival General McNiccll already has covered much territory by sea, land and air. His first tour took him to the most important

centre of the goldfields in Morobe. Here he carefully studied conditions regarding roads, aerodromes, the Salamaua wharf and the penetration of new, uncontrolled areas. Later, he visited Madang, Sepik Wewak and Aitape areas, making contact with all classes of the white community and carefully studying the native problems as they were presented to him He mvh the impression of weighing the pros and cons of the recommendations, and thoroughly analysing the questions placed before him. with the brain of the scholar and the intuition of the soldier.

These months have been months of careful study for the new Administrator; months of making himself acquainted with white and black conditions; months of weighing, testing, seeking out reasons and

carefully indexing the knowledge for future reference. It has been a period of deliberation and study; of dissecting and labelling in order to decide upon future policies for the welfare of the Territory.

Apart from his official position as Administrator, Ramsay McNicoll is a most interesting man to meet. He has a personal inclination to learn all there is to know of native lores and customs; he has travelled extensively and is a keen observer; he an ardent lover of good music, nor does he spurn melodies in lighter vein; he is an enthusiast where musical and dramatic art is concerned; he is a prolific reader, and has an easy and versatile pen of his own, which might surprise many; and he is an ardent Shakespearian scholar.

Although he has spent so much of his time away from the capital, he has shown a marked interest in the sporting activities of Rabaul. He is in great demand for social functions, where he is often the centre of a group enjoying some interest ing anecdote culled from his many experi ences. In social functions the General now has his most able help-mate to assist

him, and Mrs. McNicoll already has made a host of friends amongst those with whom she has come in contact.

The First Lady in the Land is as assidu ously studying her new environment as the General and, likewise, is carefully absorbing each new condition and incident as it arises; making herself au fait with the most variable phases of life as pre sented in Rabaul —the paradox of the Pacific, where cliques are most exclusive (and unjustified) and conventions rigidly observed and as regularly violated.

General Ramsay McNicoll and his lady are quietly and studiously “getting ac quainted” with New Guinea and its people.

They are going about their task in the only way which will lead to a perfect and successful understanding for all.

If I were asked to describe our Chief Executive Officer and Mrs. McNicoll in one word I should write: Balance. And that is a quality which a new country like New Guinea—and particularly Rabaul— can well afford to cultivate.