Improving

ANGAU and Production Board Conditions in Australian Territories

ANGAU the administrative unit created by the Australian Army to look after Papua and New Guinea for the duration—seems to be doing bet ter than many well-informed critics expected. Mistakes have been made, and some cruel personal injustices perpe trated; but, on the whole, the machine is working, with increasing smoothness.

“Whatever the heads may think,” says one experienced official in a letter South, “the actual governing of the boys is in the hands of young, tolerant, fairly well-educated, kindly men who get on very well with each individual native, and treat them well. There is far less aloofness than in the days of the Tin god RM, yet the native discipline is bet ter, because it is better understood.”

Here is another opinion, also well expressed: “Eddie Ward’s heart need not bleed for the alleged wrongs of the Fuzzy-Wuzzies at present—wherever I have come into contact with the Army heads I have found them most con scientious in trying to give the natives a fair deal.” That is not from a mission ary, but from a hard-boiled old planter.

“I think the presence of Frame, Lou den and Nevitt is a guarantee that the Production Board will not be too out rageous,” writes another old hand, who has not been an admirer of the three gentlemen named. He indicates that, while Papuan property-owners still have many grievances, he thinks officialdom is moving slowly and creakily towards “the right thing.” Officialdom often does; but usually arrives just in time to write the right thing on a tombstone.