"Dithering" Is

Blamed

Murders in New Guinea

Letter to the Editor ONE gathers, on reading the published report of the recent murder of Patrol Officer Elliott and two native constables, in the Wewak district, that the Administration are at a loss to account for the outrage.

They should not be. Something of the sort has been inevitable for some time; and more certainly will follow if the pre sent weak-kneed policy of pandering to native insolence and violence is not changed and some semblance of discipline and efficiency introduced.

The Elliott tragedy is undoubtedly the direct outcome of the murder of Charles Gough; and the way that affair was handled. Gouoh was killed some three years ago at Lahingi, within a few miles of Wanali (where Elliott was murdered) whilst endeavouring to apprehend a run away recruit. He had camped the nieht before with a Patrol Officer, complete with police escort.

Within an hour or so of the attack on Gough, some of Gough’s bovs overtook this individual and reported the affair. In stead of immediately returning and in vestigating, the Patrol Officer made all haste in the other direction, to the coast and Headquarters, and it was not until nearly three weeks later that a large party arrived at the scene of the at + ack—to find poor Gough’s body where it had been thrown out amongst the village refuse.

Until that time there was no evidence, apart from the statement of some panic stricken natives that he had been killed immediately. He . might have been wounded and barricaded in some native house, defending himself and waiting for the succour that never came.

I cannot state precisely what punish ment was me f ed out to the natives im plicated. But none were executed, and I don’t think any heavy sentences were im posed. I do know that the prevailing official opinion was that Gough deserved to be killed, as his Patrol Officer “friend” had advised him not to go to the village.

Contrast the above with the speed with which a large force proceeded to deal with Elliot’s murder. It will also be very inter esting to see how the culprits are dealt with.

Recruiters are anathema to the District Officer here. But he cannot expect natives to draw distinctions between recruiters and officials. A white man is a white man to them, and if they can kill one, with impunity, why not the lot? And. if things go on as they are, that is the conclusion the natives will eventually arrive at.

The writer could quote many instances of insubordination end violence by natives, which have been reported to different officials, and either ignored, or the offenders have escaped punishment through technicalities which some officials seem to delight in. Then they stand aghast when one more unfortunate (particularly when he is an official) is added to the al ready long list of those “murdered by natives”.

With a just but firm native policy this country would be safer than Sydney. The way we are heading now we will all be lucky if we are not wiped out some day.

I am etc.,

A. Chiel.

Wewak, N.G. 18/8/1939.