By Peaceful Penetration

N.G. Government Brings the Interior Tribes Under Control

From a Special Correspondent

WAU, Aug. 4.

PEACEFUL penetration has accom plished much in the Chimbu-Wahgi district. It Is learned that shortly horse traffic will be employed on the recently constructed roads in the area. Only a few years ago this area was entirely unknown to the Administration.

The officer in charge of the Chimbu- Wahgi post has carried out an extensive programme of road construction, linking up all the Mission stations in the districts with one another and with the Govern ment post. Villages are also connected by this progressive sememe.

The natives will soon have the unusual spectacle of horse traffic which will no

doubt cause them more astonishment than did the first ’planes that landed in their midst and to which they are now accus tomed.

So interested were the inhabitants of this area in the construction of the roads that literally thousands threw themselves into the work helping the Government with enthusiasm, and using primitive tools when others were not available. It is reported that their work both in mag nitude and excellence exceeded anything that the authorities had experienced before.

Pacification of the tribes continues steadily in the Chimbu valley, though out breaks occur occasionally. In an inter-

Seeing the white man’s wonders. Primitive Chimbru-Wahgi natives crowd around and gaze incredulously at an aeroplane on Mount Hagen landing ground.

tribal fight recently in which the Govern ment interfered it was found necessary to open fire. The Government party arriving on the scenes were attacked themselves by large numbers.

Since the affray, however, the natives have displayed an entirely friendly atti tude towards the Government, and the prospects are most encouraging.

Bena Bena Base Camp

Bena Bena base camp will soon be connected with the Ramu station. The road which has been under construction is now nearing completion. Soon, as with the Chimbu area, horse traffic will be in general use for those travelling from Ramu to Bena Bena, Chimbu, and Wahgi.

The hostility of the natives, though marked at first, is gradually giving way as the policy of peaceful penetration steadily continues. A regular police mail between Ramu and Bena Bena through Finintegu is maintained to which the natives are gradually becoming accus tomed.

On the Upper Ramu post rest houses have been constructed at various points along the roads and there also the work of pacification is steadily increasing.

Oribanda Post

A comparatively large European popu lation, including women, with a large labour force has sprung up in the Ori banda district. The little mining com munity has had little difficulty with the Kukukuku tribes which are already under the influence of the Government, and the relationship of the miners, labourers and Kukukukus is most satisfactory. The natives freely exchange their produce for trade and any goods they desire.