Native Education Plan

for N. Guinea What Has Become of It?

Letter to the Editor WHAT has become of the native education plan which Brig.-General T. Griffiths drew up, during the latter period of his term as Administrator of New Guinea?

This very wise and far-seeing man— who, in the opinion of this writer, was driven out of Rabaul by Canberra’s petty and stupid interference with his work — realised that the future of New Guinea will be affected in a major degree by the way in which the natives are educated and trained. His sense of order was of fended by the present haphazard system, under which the education of the native children in controlled areas seems to be the official responsibility of no one.

I know that General Griffiths gave a great deal of tireless study to this prob lem, and that he devoted long periods to consultations with officials and with the heads of the mission organisations.

As a result of all this, he evolved what seemed to be a quite practicable scheme, under which native education should be the joint responsibility of the Admini stration and of the mission bodies, acting in co-operation.

There were many minor difficulties to be smoothed out; but I am convinced that the principle of the plan was sound, and that it could have been economically and efficiently operated. The missionaries would have received fair official recog nition; their educational activities would have been under official supervision; and the vitally important work of giving some kind of education to natives, and thus equipping them for their contact with European civilisation, would have gone on in an orderly manner.

I do not think I am exaggerating when I say that officialdom drove General Griffiths out of the Territory, just at a time when his clear vision, tireless in dustry and hatred of red tape were vitally necessary to the Territory’s future. This education matter is a case in point.

I am, etc-,

S.D.

Sydney, September 3, 1935.