How to Reward NG

Natives

I AM afraid there is too much sentiment and not sufficient practical thought given to the future of our Fuzzy- Wuzzy subjects in New Guinea.

No administration is perfect. Although the Government with which I was associated for so many years in Papua created a native policy which was a shin ing example to the world, I think that in the matter of education it might have accomplished more.

The mission school system, with a sub sidy, is a convenient method of teaching a native population the rudiments of the three R’s, but for those intelligent natives who wish to rise above their fellows, little provision has been made. For such people there should be some system of higher training, especially of a technical nature.

To create such a school should be one of the first jobs of a future administration.

To give to the natives a smattering of education, thereby whetting their ap petite for more; to arouse their ambitions and then leave them in the air is a very wrong thing. The establishment of a technical school, in which such subjects as carpentry, boat-building, engineering, etc., could be taught, would fill a much needed want, and contribute to a small extent to an expression of the gratitude of the people of Australia for the care which these primitive natives gave to their wounded sons.

There are many ways in which the future welfare of the native can be made more assured, but chief amongst these should be the provision of both educa tional and medical facilities.

I am, etc.,

A. C. Rentoul.

New Hebrides, 12/3/45.