Unique Tribute at End of

Sir Hubert Murray

Unique Tribute at End of 30 Years' Work

Yl/HILE the Governor-General (Lord

** Gowrie) was in Papua, the oppor tunity was taken to pay a tribute to Sir Hubert Murray, who on June 30, com

pleted 30 years’ service as Lieutenant-

Governor.

On July 27, Lord Gowrie handed to Sir

Hubert Murray an address signed by

practically every resident of the Terri tory. It read; “We, residents in Papua, beg to express to you our pleasure and satisfaction that your com pletion of 30 years of administration should be marked by a visit from Australia’s Governor- General.

“We venture to make this an occasion for congratulating Your Excellency, not only on the duration of your long term of office, but also on the happy results accruing from it.

“Your Excellency’s reputation as a native ad ministrator is world-wide and firmly established.

What is not so well known outside Papua is the patient, wise, and sympathetic manner in which you have worked always for the protection and support of European industries, for the advance ment of Papua as a colony, and for the welfare of every member of the community.

“In offering Your Excellency our heartfelt con gratulations, we wish to tender an expression of our affectionate and loyal regard as much for your person, as for the high office which we pray that you may long continue to hold.”

Sir Hubert feelingly replied.

The following day, at Hanuabada,

there was a unique and remarkable cere mony. Lord Gowrie presented to Sir Hubert Murray an illuminated address from the natives of Papua. Beautifully engrossed (by a native), in English and Motuan, and signed by 2,438 natives, it was as follows: “Our Governor!

“We people of Papua all know that in July, 1937, you complete 30 years as Governor of Papua.

“During all these years we have seen your good works, and all the helpful things you have done.

When we have come to speak to you you have not closed your ears, nor have you frowned at us, but have received us and listened to us and taken action for us. We have seen all the good things you have done, and our happiness is great because of you.

“Therefore, we all beg of you not to leave us, but stay) here as our Governor for years to come.

“For we know you, and how you have led us into the ways of your law, treating white people and ourselves just the same. We know that you love us well, and we are full of love for you.

Our Governor.”

Sir Hubert was deeply affected. Ade quate reply to such a tribute would be difficult in any case; atid it was made the more difficult for Sir Hubert because he had received no hint that anything of the sort was in train. But in a few

sentences, translated phrase by phrase to

the listening native councillors, he con

veyed adequately his appreciation of an

honour such as few men have earned and still fewer have had accorded to them.

In the course of his reply, Sir Hubert referred to the wish that he should re main indefinitely in Papua. He said that he would never leave them —he intended to die in Papua.

Later, after leaving Papua, Lord

Gowrie personally paid a warm tribute

to the work of Sir Hubert Murray in Papua, The Sydney Morning Herald, on July 27, devoted its leading article to a eulogy of Sir Hubert’s achievements in Papua, and especially to praise of his native policy. It declared that he successfully carried on the MacGregor tradition and established the Murray tradition; and that he had won great credit for Aus tralia in its control and protection of a primitive Pacific race.