N.G. Council

Australia's Interest In Fate of Territory

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Mar. 3.

TO-DAY’S meeting of the Legislative Council lasted 5g hours.

Twenty-three Bills, being mostly amendments of existing ordinances, were passed. The Administrator, in his open ing address, referred to the Council’s in augural meeting in May, 1933, and drew a flattering comparison between the con dition of the Territory then and now.

He emphasised that revenue had in creased by 30 per cent.

To Australia Or Germany?

Mr. W. E. Grose, in a notable speech, insisted that something should be done to awaken Australian public opinion to the danger of unchecked propaganda in favour of the return of New Guinea to Germany. If New Guinea were returned, it undoubtedly would be used by Ger many mainly as a military and naval base. It was extremely important for strategic reasons that Australia should retain control of New Guinea. He pointed out that there had been much more rapid development of New Guinea under Aus tralian Administration than under the Germans.

Asiatic Immigration

Mr. McLennan ably addressed the Council on the subject of Asiatic immi gration. He criticised the wisdom of applying the White Australia Policy to New Guinea, where conditions were en tirely different from those in Australia.

Undisciplined Natives

There was no discussion of the subject of “undisciplined natives.” Mr. J. C.

Mullaly asked 13 general questions, which were tersely answered by the Ad ministrator, thus putting an end to the debate.