Mr. Ward Arrives

This photograph (supplied by the Aus tralian Department of Information) shows Australia’s Minister for External Territories as he landed on a beach somewhere in New Guinea, and is greeted by an Australian officer.

This Minister has displayed so little knowledge and understanding of Terri tories’ conditions (his attempt to abolish the indentured labour system is referred to elsewhere) that it is not surprising to find him performing in this fashion on the beach.

The New Guinea natives are primitive folk and, in their view, a “master’s” offi cial status is indicated by his behaviour and appearance. Ordinary “masters” may do much as they please; but Minis ters and Governors, and high-ranking official people of that ilk, if they want to make upon natives an impression favourable to the Government, and gain respect and obedience, must bear them selves with dignity, and exhibit at least some of the panoply of office.

A Minister who arrives in the condition pictured above, like a sand-boy pursuing worms, must not be unhappy if he is regarded by scornful Fuzzy- Wuzzies as “something nothing.”

Among the recent New Zealand casual ties on the Italian front are two boys from Western Samoa. They are Private Roy lan Brown, son of Bums Philp’s Apia manager, who has been seriously wounded, but who, after a successful operation, is improving; and Private Louis Aspinall, who was killed in action at the end of March.