"Uncontrolled" Areas in N

N. Guinea Man Who Upset Government Asks Some Questions

ON September 25, when the tottering UAP-UCP Federal Government was nearing the end of its tether, a number of questions relating to “uncon trolled areas” in New Guinea were put to Mr. McDonald, Minister for Territories, in the House of Representatives, Can berra, by Mr. Alex. Wilson (Victorian Independent).

Perhaps it was the unsatisfactory an swers that helped Mr. Wilson make up his mind to throw out the Government, for his vote the following week was one of two that defeated the Government and put Labour on the ministerial benches.

Mr. Wilson’s searching questions and

the Minister’s not too enlightening answers were as follows: Did a combined deputation from the NG Mining Association and the NG branch of the Australian Labour Party interview the Minister during his visit to Wau?—Yes.

Is it a fact that the Administrator was present and, in reply to a question, stated that he considered there were among non-official residents, men as capable as Government officials of carrying out ex ploration work in “uncontrolled” areas? —Sir Walter McNicoll was present at the deputation. He has been asked for advice in regard to this inquiry and the infor mation is being obtained.

Why does the Government persist in refusing to allow such non-official resi dents to enter, explore and prospect the “uncontrolled” areas?—The policy rela ting to “uncontrolled” areas, as expressed in the “Uncontrolled” Areas Ordinance, 1925-1938, is designed to ensure the open ing up of unexplored country in an orderly manner, having regard to the welfare of the natives. Entry to such areas may be made only in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance.

When does the Government intend to amend the ordinance to permit European non-official residents to enter “uncon trolled” areas? —Amendment of the “Un controlled” Areas Ordinance is not contemplated.

Did an Australian prospector, known as “Sharkeye” Park, nearly 20 years ago, at his own expense and without Govern ment assistance or protection, live for months in the “uncontrolled” area in TNG and make the gold discovery which resulted in the present highly developed mining industry on which the Adminis tration has depended for revenue to carry on its function of government?—Accord ing to reports of mining operations in New Guinea, Australian gold-seekers, including W. Park, were prospecting in Morobe District before and after the 1914-1918 war. Park is stated to have discovered gold in the Bulolo River and to have commenced operation in 1922 on Koranga Creek, a tributary of the Bulolo River.

Is it a fact that “Sharkeye” Park, and other Australian prospectors who pene trated deeply into the “uncontrolled” areas, benefited rather than acted detri mentally towards the welfare of the natives?—ln some cases the activities of prospectors materially assisted the Ad ministration in bringing natives under control; in other cases such activities had a harmful effect.

What steps is the Government taking to open up “uncontrolled” areas and encourage prospecting and the develop ment of the Territory’s “uncontrolled” areas generally?—Areas which have been classified as “uncontrolled” will be brought gradually under administrative control in accordance with the Govern ment’s policy of peaceful penetration.

When a sufficient degree of control has been established, prospectors and others are permitted entry.

What was the total cost, including overhead charges, of the Mount Hagen patrol carried out by A. D. O. Taylor in 1938-39?—£11,002.

Why were geological and agricultural experts not sent out with this patrol to report upon the natural resources of the country traversed?—The patrol was an exploratory one for administrative pur poses and it was considered necessary to keep its personnel to a minimum. In clusion of geologists and agricultural ex perts would have interfered seriously with the patrol’s mobility and hampered its progress.

Will the Government in future insist upon such experts accompanying all patrols into unexplored and “uncon

trolled” areas and, if so, will their reports be made available to the public?—No.

Such a course would not be practicable.

Has District Officer Townsend traversed on foot all the country in the Mandated Territory adjacent to the international border between Dutch New Guinea and the Australian Mandated Territory?—Mr.

G. W. L. Townsend was D.O. of the Sepik District for eight years, and carried out extensive patrols in this district, which covers an area of 39,110 sq. miles, much of which is unexplored. The international border extends for a distance of 170 miles, and a large portion of the areas adjacent thereto is “uncontrolled” and unexplored.

What control had he over persons prospecting on the Dutch side of the border, and what facilities had he as D.O. to check up on their movements?

Would it be possible for persons to be prospecting near the Dutch border with out the Mandated Territory’s D.O. being aware of the fact?—The authority of officers of the New Guinea Administration does not extend beyond the boundaries of the Australian Territory.

The engagement was announced re cently between Mr. Morris Hedstrom, youngest son of Sir Maynard Hedstrom, of Suva, Fiji, and Miss Mary Gordon, of Seatoun, Wellington (NZ).

Mr. S. J. Anderson, of the Government Printing Office, Port Moresby, Papua, was entertained in September by members of Port Moresby Golf Club, of which he has been secretary for some years, and presented with a wallet of notes. He later departed from the Territory on leave, at the end of which he will retire on superannuation.