Insolent Natives

Government Stops Sing-Sings in Morobe District

Prom Our Own Correspondent WAU, May, 20. rE Administration at last has called a halt to the weekly gatherings of natives in this area, which —for the sake of a better name—were called “sing sings”. The gatherings took place out side the town area, where the local police had no jurisdiction, and were causing the community some apprehension.

Organised sing-sings at certain festival or holiday periods have been recognised throughout the Territory always; but these gatherings scarcely came under that category, as they were not under any kind of control.

Malpractices of many descriptions were taking place and it was alleged that the “putting together of heads’’ by inden tured labourers from every corner of the Territory, was a feature of the gather ings.

Nothing but harm to both whites and natives would have resulted, had these gatherings been allowed to continue. In fact, many employers had already noticed an attitude of semi-defiance developing among their indentured labourers.