Over Paid?
pp. 67-68 · Read in the full issue
Papuan Officials and Salary Standards
Letter to the Editor MR. G. A. Louden is to be congratu lated upon his illuminating contri bution (“P.1.M.”, 15/3/40) as any one with a knowledge of Papuan condi tions knows well that the future of the Territory must rest upon agriculture, and upon agriculture alone. Anyone whose lawful occasion has led him into the great valley systems of Central New Guinea must be aware of the potentiali ties of the place and the necessity of means of transport.
But when Mr. Louden strays from the path to make remarks upon the pam pering of the Papuan Civil Service, and even to reflect upon the 40 or 50 elderly men who lead the not very exciting existence of pensioners, he is talking about a subject upon which he is pal pably ignorant.
A perusal of the conditions under which civil servants in some of the Crown Colonies serve would prove to Mr. Louden that the Papuan Civil Ser vice is not treated, in the matter of leave and travelling expenses especially, any better than others who give up their lives to a tropical service.
It seems to be the fashion, these days, to criticise civil servants, and such criH cism usually emanates from those with little knowledge of the duties involved.
After all, Mr. Louden, the labourer is worthy of his hire, whether he lives in a comfortable planter’s residence, or spends his days amid the swamps or razor-backs of inland Papua, for the sake of Empire, or risks his life amid the shoals of the Eastern divisions.
Only the other day, our greatest civil servant died in harness, at the age of 78, working to the end!
It would, indeed, be an unworthy thing if such men were asked to accept a monetary reward about equal to that of some of the store employees of Port Moresby.
I am, etc.,
Alexander Rentoul.
The Residency, Misima, 3/4/1940.
Mr. Don. Haig:, Rabaul manager for the Yorkshire Insurance Co., returned to the Mandated Territory in April, after a short holiday in Australia.
Mr. William P. Whippy, an old and re spected Fiji pioneer, died last month at his residence in Levuka. He was born in Levuka in 1850. His four sons are well known residents of the Colony—Captain M. Whippy (Suva), and Messrs. Charles Whippy (Suva), Arthur Whippy (Levuka) and John Whippy (Tavua).
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Minns are at present en route to New Zealand on a holiday visit. He is manager at the Wau Club, on the Morobe Goldfield and during his absence Mr. Ted. Clarke, late of Madang, has taken charge of the Club.
Mr. H. Shelton O’Reilly, draftsman and examiner in the Lands Department of Papua, recently left on nine months’ leave, at the end of which he will retire from the Service, on superannuation. Mr.
O’Reilly has completed 20 years’ service in Papua.