Appointment?

Why A Missionary

New Guinea Legislative Council

Letter to the Editor THE Morobe section of New Guinea learned on May 29 that the vacant seat on the Legislative Council had been allotted to Rev. L. A. McArthur, 8.A., of the Wesleyan Methodist Mission. The news came just prior to the Admini strator’s arrival on the goldfields, and cast somewhat of a cloud over the general welcome. However, it was felt that this appointment was not entirely to be laid at the door of the Administrator, but was the outcome of machinations in Australia.

In 1933, Sir Charles Marr opened the first session of the New Guinea Legislative Council, and people felt that a forward step had been made in the democratic government of the Territory. We have learned since, alas, what a vain hope that was. The minority of private members, and the power of “direction” vested in the President, have precluded anything but Government measures going through the Council, but that is no reason why the private members should not be thoroughly representative of the community.

If the presence of a missionary on the Council be imperative, one naturally asks why one was not included in the original formation. Such was not the case, how ever. Too late, we learn how great the influences are in official circles in Aus tralia, to sway the best interests of this Territory.

With the termination of four years, in 1937, the opportunity was seized upon by these “influences” to replace Mr. V.

Pratt’s membership with one of their missionaries, and Rev. F. G. Lewis was appointed. Upon his resignation, nomina tions were called for and, in spite of strongly-suppoi ted candidatures from those who represent industry, advance ment and a large majority of the popu lation, the precedent having once been established by these “powerful influences”, it was followed up by further appoint ment of another missionary.

The industrial community, and particu larly those in the gold industry, have paid and paid to make their way, and inci dentally furnish the Territory revenue with the necessary sinews of government.

Industrialists employ, pay, feed and clothe thousands of natives, with all the attend ant fees, etc—and I refer particularly to gold mining. This industry not only re presents a majority of the white popula tion, but probably employs more natives than any other industry in the Territory.

It is maintained, therefore, that it should be more generously represented in the Council.

Industry does not levy unofficial taxes on the natives, but pays them the where withal to improve their status, in addi tion to educating them (yes, educating them) in domestic duties, cleanliness, various trades and callings, all of which are material to their temporal welfare; and, be it stressed very strongly, the native’s health is by no means a small item in the industrialist’s care of his em ployees.

What percentage of white or native population does the Wesleyan Methodist Mission represent? What percentage of the revenue does it provide from its legitimate calling as a mission and not as a trading concern? The answer in both cases is virtually “nil”.

Thus we are back at our premise. What qualifications has the Wesleyan Method ist Mission to be represented on even such a futile Legislative Council as that of New Guinea? Progress is being stifled and the Territory-wide welfare of the native and the status of the white population are being neglected in such an appoint ment.

And it is all engineered primarily in Australia, where not .0001 per cent, of the people know anything about the Territory or its conditions.

In conclusion; It would appear that the recent “Katoomba” tourist trip had more design than appears on the surface!

I am, etc.

Wau-Ite.

Wau, New Guinea, 6/6/39.

Mrs. Donnan, widow of Mr. R. C. Don nan, formerly on the staff of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Ltd., was in Fiji in June paying a visit to her sister, Mrs. G.

Cradick, of Lautoka.

Professor A. M. Hocart, of Cairo Uni versity, who was associated with Dr. W. H.

R. Rivers in scientific research in the Solomons and who later carried out valu able anthropological work in Fiji and Rotuma, died recently.