Amalgamation?

Whence Came the Idea of Amalgamation?

QUITE a number of people are claim ing that they are the authors of the plan to amalgamate New Guinea and Papua. The “Sydney Bulletin” says;

“Five years ago, ‘The Bulletin’ began to advocate the administrative linking of New Guinea and Papua”.

Maybe, some reference to records is de sirable. The editor of the “Pacific Is lands Monthly”, after a visit to Papua and New Guinea, wrote this: “Taking the broad view, there is a good deal to be said for the amalgama tion of these Territories. Why not one big Territory, governed by Australia, and including New Guinea, Papua, and the whole of the Solomon Islands? . . .

One big administrative organisation would stimulate the developmental impulse now stirring in New Guinea, and solve the administrative problems represented by top-heavy Papua, and the languishing Solomons”.

That was published on page 4 of the “P.1.M.” of August, 1932. It was not the outcome of any editorial inspiration; but was the direct result of talks which the editor had with thoughtful men in Pa pua and New Guinea, where amalgama tion had been, for years, a subject of discussion. Ever since then, year after year, the “P.1.M.” has urged that, at least for administrative purposes, there should be closer union between Papua and the Mandated Territory.