Sectarian Jealousies

Native Teachers and Sectarian Jealousies N.G. Administration Backs and Fills

TN June, 1936, the New Guinea Administration amended the Native Admini stration regulations, so as to prevent native mission teachers from entering uncontrolled areas in New Guinea, unless under the immediate supervision of a European. This was a necessary reform, on account of ridiculous sectarian wrangles which had developed in the uncontrolled areas, to bemuse the minds of the primitive people.

Now the Administration, with typical inability to keep its mind made up for any length of time on any matter affect ing the control of natives, has issued another amendment. The Administrator now may, upon the recommendation of a District Officer, give authority for native mission teachers to take up resi dence within uncontrolled areas.

The Rahaul Times comments bitingly upon the development and points out that it throws a heavy and most unfortunate responsibility upon District Officers, who now can scarcely hope to escape from becoming involved in sectarian jealousies and intrigues.