Papua and New Guinea

How to Administer Papua and New Guinea Why Not One Capitol for Both?

AN interesting contribution to the argument about a new capital site in New Guinea was made in Sep tember by Mr. J. V. Fairbairn, M.P., who asked whether it was not practicable to govern Papua and the Mandated Territory with the one administration, from one administrative headquarters, and thus save at least £500,000 (the proposed cost of the new capital).

It is a question that has been asked by many people who cannot understand why the two territories, lying side by side, with exactly similar conditions to deal with, should be kept jealously in water tight compartments, so that there is no interchange of officials and not even regu lar consultation—or consultation of any kind—between the two administrations.

Mr. Hughes, however, chose to make a disdainful reply to Mr. Fairbairn; he said things which will be of interest to Terri tory residents—namely;— “It is unfortunate that Mr. Fairbairn should have raised this question, I feel that he cannot have given the matter serious consideration.

“We govern New Guinea under a man date in the interests of a primitive people.

We have been appointed their guardians and protectors. We are not developing New Guinea in the interests of Australia, but in the interests of its natives.

“If centralisation is the objective, New Guinea might be administered from Can berra, just as economically as it could be from Port Moresby.

“An examination of the administrative practices in mandated territories in var ious parts of the world will show that in each case the administrative head quarters is in the mandated territory it self.”

All of which shows the Minister’s re markable ignorance of the territories he controls.

In what way is Australia “governing in the interests of the natives”? What sort of education system, or health system, has been devised “in the interests of the natives”?

If Australia’s main object is develop ment in the interests of the natives, why is £150,000 being spent on a road, and financial encouragement being given to the search for oil, and £500,000 provided for a new capital?

What actually are the obstacles to the administration of Papua and New Guinea from the same centre?

Mr. Hughes’ remark, that New Guinea might as easily be administered from Can berra as from Port Moresby, proves that he really does not know what he is talking about.

Incidentally, attempts have been made, for several years, to administer New Guinea from Canberra, with results that are notorious.

Anyway, is not the Mandate system of the League of Nations—in which Mr.

Hughes has the doubtful honour of claiming paternity—now quite discredited, and practically dead?

Monsieur Normet, Inspector-General of the Health Service in New Caledonia, has been elevated to the rank of Chief Officer of the Legion of Honour.

Blonde and Brunette —a snapshot at Samarai, Papua.