Canberra's Shadow Over

Papua

FEARS that an attempt would be made to so reduce the Administrative status of Papua, that it would be come merely an appendage of Canberra officialdom, were expressed by the Bishop of New Guinea (Right Rev. P. N. W.

Strong) in an interview published in the Brisbane "Courier-Mail”.

The action of the Commonwealth Gov ernment in reducing status from Lieut.- Governor to Administrator, and certain other signs, indicated that Papua was to lose the benefits it had enjoyed under the strong, clear-principled rule of the late Sir Hubert Murray. Sir Hubert had fol lowed the nrincinle that Papua was primarily for the Papuans, and the Gov ernment of the country was a trust to be administered for the greatest welfare of the natives.

The Murray policy has been extolled as a model of the white man’s rule over primitive races, said the Bishop, who de plored the introduction of any other nolicy that would thwart the plans of the late Governor. He added that a human touch in native administration, and an intimate knowledge of tropical problems were vital to the successful government of Papua.

Mr. F. S. Orr, metallurgical engineer, who has been engaged in mining work in Eastern Papua for some years, arrived in Sydney recently.

Mr. H. E. Maude, of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Administration, is at nresent on a visit to Pitcairn Island, revising the legal system of the little community. He is making as few changes as possible. He expects to be there for two or three months.