Strikers’ Example to N.G,

Natives

From Our Own Correspondent.

WAU, Oct. 1.

THE majority of residents were in sym pathy with the employees of New Guinea Goldfields Ltd. who “downed tools” recently; but they were also keenly apprehensive of the effect of the development on the thousands of native labourers on this field, and everyone was very glad when the strike was settled.

Under our present laws, the native is difficult enough to handle, without Euro peans setting an example by striking. It is the first occurrence of its kind in T.N.G., and we sincerely hope it will be the last.

Despite sympathy for the strikers, had a settlement not been quickly effected it is believed that the public would have petitioned the Administration to operate whatever law was available to deal with strikers. Without trade unions, awards, arbitration courts, workers’ compensation and other laws relating to industrial dis putes, this Territory is in a unique and peculiar position.

Natives of the Ramu-Purari tribes, on the mainland, of New saw Europeans for the first time only within the past two or three years and, being still in their primitive state, are scientifically intersting The men are agriculturists, and are noted fighrers. Attention is dorected partocularly to their resemnlance to the natives on the Pura