How To Reward

Fuzzies

Simple Plan by an Experienced Man

A MAN who knows New Guinea condi tions intimately, who has a high regard for the natives, and who is at present carrying on important work for the military Administration in terri tory recovered from the Japs, writes as follows: “The natives in this area have settled back into their villages; and, for them, Ufe goes on now as if there never had been a war. They are working here for me quite cheerfully and happily, in large numbers.

“Their main reaction is that ‘time belong before’ has come back, and they welcome it. There seems to be no discon tent among them, and I have not met any yet who are worried about their future status, or welfare, or any of those funny things you read about in the say ings of those high-minded pure-souled altruists who are so worried about what we owe to the Fuzzy-wuzzy.

“All that these people want is to be left in peace, to till their own gardens, deal with their own domestic affairs, have a market in which to sell their pro duce, work for wages when they feel like it, and not to be bothered by a horde of publicity-seeking politicians, -philanthro pists, anthropologists and others of that ilk.

“Their greatest need at the moment is the re-establishment of medical services and native hospitals, and regular medical patrols through the different districts.

“Their next greatest need is the pro vision of trade stores, Government-con trolled if necessary, where they can buy (at pre-war prices), knives, tomahawks, lap-laps, matches, razor-blades, lamps, needles and cotton, fish-hooks and other things to which we have accustomed them. There should also be some scheme to provide them with boats, in lieu of their canoes, which have been smashed or stolen by the Japs.

“If we could do this for the whole Ter ritory. we would be doing something of a practical nature which would be a tan gible reward to the natives for their ser vices, which I recognise as having been invaluable to our Army.

“Planning on these simple lines might not appeal to the publicity-seekers: but to me. who am on the spot, in direct contact with the natives, and who, to a great desrree, enjoys their confidence, such a scheme would do the most towards restoring us in their estimation.

“It would actually pay the Government to provide these trade goods at or below cost—the maio thino- being to give pre war prices and convince the natives that ‘time belong before’ has really come back.”