Papua’S Nine Administrators

Sir Wm. Macgregor and Sir Hubert Murray Stand Out

rE passing parade of Papua’s Gov ernors and officials was reviewed and the story of the Territory’s progress since the “early days” was outlined when Mr. j. t. Bensted addressed the Pacific Islands Society in Sydney on September 24.

Now living in retirement, Mr. Bensted spent over 30 years in the Papuan Ser vice and for a long period was Director of Public Works.

Although, in a material sense, the ad ministration of Papua did not commence until Dr. (afterwards Sir William) Mac gregor assumed control, Sir Peter Scratch ley was the first Special Commissioner in 1885, said Mr. Bensted. He died from malaria three months after taking office.

Sir Peter was succeeded by Mr. H. H.

Romilly, who took over as Deputy Com missioner until the arrival of Hon. John Douglas, CMG, formerly Premier of Queensland, who was appointed Special Commissioner. Douglas was followed by Dr. Macgregor.

Mr. Bensted paid high tribute to the administration of Sir William Macgregor.

“It is not always realised that upon the foundations laid down by him the Papua of Sir Hubert Murray was built,” he emphasised.

Macgregor was responsible for what could be termed the fundamentals of government. He gave the Territory (known as British New Guinea) its land laws, securing native tenure; and its laws against liquor, opium and firearms—all for the protection of the natives. The

Native Regulations, drafted and enacted by Sir William, have changed little in the succeeding years and have not been altered at all in principle. He established the Native Constabulary and the Village Police. The keynote of his policy was “to deal righteously and justly by the natives, to pacify the country, and to develop it into a British Colony”.

In later years, it was to Sir Hubert Murray’s credit that he did not meddle with the foundations Macgregor laid down. Upon them he shaped his own policy, revealing one fundamental of his greatness and outstanding success—he could leave well alone.

MR. Bensted described Sir William Macgregor’s transfer as “unfor tunate”—had he carried on for a few more years, the Colony might have been spared some of the later trials and setbacks. However, Judge Francis Winter took office for a year (1898-1899); perhaps he would have made a successful ad ministrator if given full control Then came Sir George Le Hunte. He was not of a type particularly suited to the task of native administration or to control people still in the Stone Age, for while he had a kindly disposition, strong religious leanings and high ideals, he was not of the pioneering stuff.

“He was a sailor by inclination,” said Mr. Bensted, “and took little interest in opening up the country. His pleasure was to navigate the official vessel ‘Merrie

England’. As a contrast, Sir George wore a monocle and spats; Sir Hubert Murray moleskin pants and a trade shirt.”

Le Hunte was succeeded by Judge C. S.

Robinson as Deputy and Acting Adminis trator for one year. Mr. Bensted referred to Robinson as “a good Australian who never was given a chance to make good in Papua”. He committed an unfortunate mistake at Goaribari Island, where the LMS missionaries Chalmers and Tomp kins had been killed, and his enemies seized upon it to pull him down.

Previously, Le Hunte had gone to Goaribari, and had caused some deaths in clashes with natives. Robinson went to Goaribari to straighten things out after Le Hunte’s punitive expedition, but, in a mistaken idea of self defence, was respon sible for the death of a few natives.

Thereupon, he was made a scapegoat.

Disnlaced from his position, he shot him self outside Government House, after handing over to Captain F. R. Barton.

The Barton administration, 1904 to 1907, was anything but a complete success, and came under severe fire of criticism.

Sir Hubert Murray took over control in 1907, when the Territory was at its lowest ebb, stated Mr. Bensted; and if he had not been an administrative genius, Papua might have experienced a much different fate. Fortunately, he proved himself one of Australia’s most brilliant sons and when he died in early 1940, was acknowledged throughout the world as probably the Empire’s foremost colonial administrator.

Because of his ultimate triumph, it must not be supposed that the Murray regime was all “plain sailing” Like most men of great learning and intellectual capabilities, said Mr. Bensted, Sir Hubert was somewhat aloof —one could not get close enough to him. He was not a man to inspire intimate friendship—in fact, he appeared to be an extremely lonelv man.

Never did he seem to separate himself from his iob and others perforce had to follow suit.

Twenty years ago, continued Mr. Ben sted, a number of residents felt that Sir Hubert was pursuing a policv opposed to the true interests of the Territory. In fact, there were appeals to Australia for his removal and a public meeting actually was advertised for the express purpose of passing a resolution for his deportation, together with two senior officials.

The outcome was that the public ser vants intimated they would attend the meeting and move an amendment for the addition of three extra names to the deportation list the three leaders against the Government! Ridicule, then, killed the whole affair.

A sequel to this a few days later gave an insight into Sir Hubert’s character.

When the steamer for Australia was leaving, the Governor did a thing not usual for him —he went down to the wharf at sailing time. Practically all the residents were there and through this assembly the Governor stalked. All that happened was a lifting of hats and “Good dav, sir” This was the very boat by which he was to have been deported!

The changing years proved only too well how right Sir Hubert’s policy was, but in those days the short-sighted critics could not see it.

TO illustrate Sir Hubert’s keen sense of humour, Mr. Bensted told of an in cident at Samarai, where electric lighting was being installed.

The RM (Mr. A. P. Lyons) had been worrying me for extra lamps—one, in uarticular to light Clunn’s wharf, said Mr. Bensted. I declined to issue them.

Later, going ashore from the “Laurabada” to have dinner with Lyons, I walked over the edge of the wharf into deep water.

After being fished out, I returned to the

“Laurabada” to find Sir Hubert seated right at the gangway.

Having listened to my explanation he just chuckled and said: Well, Bensted, I bet Lyons gets his light now”. And Lyons did!

Mr. D. Cunningham, of Madang, New Guinea, arrived in Australia recently on leave. He is a member of the Madang staff of Colyer, Watson I*l Mr. A. Jamieson, of the Mines Depart ment in the New Guinea Public Service, has resigned and left the Mandated Territory.