Helping The Natives

Respective Spheres of Missions and Governments

Letter to the Editor FAR be it from me to disagree with your criticism of Lord Moyne’s' super ficial “Walkabout” (P.1.M., March, 1937).

It is to be regretted, however, that in your widely-read magazine you should repeat one or two mistaken ideas held by many worthy men and women down South, who have no personal knowledge of native matters in New Guinea.

Like most long-time residents of Papua, I have much admiration *for the great work performed by mission bodies, es pecially by their lady members, but I do think that you rather unfairly exagger ate the position when you state that “without the missions the condition of the natives in contact with Europeans would be calamitous indeed.”

Surely this is a reflection, possibly un intended, upon the long-continued task of the Murray Administration, at least, ,and suggests that if all the missions de cided to remove themselves from the field, the local magistrates and protectors of Papuans would view with unconcern the harsh or unlawful treatment of nat ives by any who might venture upon such a policy? Is it not also unjust to our decent white community to infer that they are only held back from ill-treating the natives by the presence of the devoted missionary. The idea is wholly absurd, and not according to fact, as anyone con versant with the position can affirm.

The spiritual welfare, care and educa tion of the more civilised natives has ever been the splendid task of the mis sionary; but this could never be accom plished but for the long and patient ef forts of patrol officers, magistrates and administrators in bringing these stone age people into the light of our' so-called civilisation and protecting them from influences which might menace their development. They are not failing in that duty.

I am, etc.,

Alex. C. Rentoul.

Bwagaoia, Misima. 30/4/1937.