Brought Together

Native Conference At

Madang

2000 N.G. Village Officials Brought Together

From a Special Correspondent.

Rabaul, Nov. 3.

MUCH satisfaction has been felt by the Administration recently in the devel opment of the people of the Madang Dis trict, and in their comprehension of methods applied for their welfare and advancement.

It appears that a Paramount Laluai, with the consent of the District Officer, organ ised a conference which gathered together all the village officials in the district to discuss matters affecting the welfare of

the community. This was an extraor dinary advance of thought. About 2,000 natives met in the presence of the District Officer and among the matters discussed were: Polygamy, fighting, “grudge” foot ball matches, policing of villages, and the advantages and disadvantages of black and white magic.

Magic, of course, permeates the lives of most New Guinea natives, and is believed to be essential in every undertaking. To them, it governs their destinies—death and disease are but the result of its powers.

“Grudge” Football

“Grudge” football is a term that needs some explanation. When the Government asserted that there must be no more tribal fighting among the natives, they intro duced football, among other things, to take its place. At first the keenness showed by the “sportsmen” gave much satisfaction. But a game played at Rabaul last year opened the officials’ eyes.

The game began with the usual num ber, 22 players, but after some time they increased to nearly 60, and shortly a dozen or more were lying stunned or bleeding on the ground. The police were called in to maintain order, and after an inspec tion the players were all found to be armed with knives, broken bottles, razor blades, stone club-heads, six inch nails, and short pointed sticks made from hard wood.

That for the time being was the end of football in Rabaul; but the fashion had spread and it became a favourite sport that needed attention.