protection of primitive

Races

The Problem In New Guinea

NEW GUINEA is the least known country in the world: and Dutch New Guinea (the western half) is the least known part of New Guinea.

The coastal regions have been known, fairly well; but in the vast, mountain ous "interior, the country is unexplored and almost unknown. Says a Dutch scientist: “A numerous primitive popu lation lives in a wellnigh unique cul tural condition. Not only interesting dwarf peoples are f9und there, beside people of normal size—but a white — or anyhow, a light-coloured—tribe is talked of. Pretty well this whole popu lation is still in a degree of culture which is wholly in keeping with that of the stone age”.

Suddenly, aerial transport has develop ed: and, without warning, these primi tive regions are brought close to Western civilisation. “The most modern culture suddenly stands here in contact with the most primitive conditions, without any preparation or period of transition”.

The Dutch, always good planners and colonisers, have taken hold of this situ ation quickly, and have created an or ganisation to handle the situation in Dutch New Guinea, with a view to (1) helping and protecting the natives, (2) assisting and encouraging the develop ment and settlement of the country, by European enterprise.

The whole situation is set out in a namphlet. just published by Dr. W. C.

Klein, 328 Alkemadelaan, The Hague, entitled “Report concerning the possi bility of protecting the primitive races in Dutch New Guinea”.

As Australia, under the new condi tions, is facing exactly the same problem in Panua and New Guinea, this report should be in the hands of every high official in the Australian tropical terri tories.

The next meeting of the New Guinea Legislative Council will be held at Ra baul on Thursday. March 2.