"Colonial Office"

Needed Senator's Plan to Cope With Australia's Responsibilities

(From Our Canberra Correspondent ) Establishment by the Australian Government of a Colonial Office to deal with territorial problems, was suggested in the Senate, during the New Guinea Bill debate, by, Senator Mattner (Lib., SA).

In the past, said the Senator, Australia had relied upon Britain’s colonial policy, but the time had come when the Govern ment had to institute a special office to deal with problems of our own Terri tories —to wit, Papua and New Guinea.

Before the war we had taken little in terest in these Territories. Now we were taking a direct interest in them, and were aware of our responsibilities.

After the war the responsibility would be so great that only a special office—the Colonial Office of Australia —would be fitted to cope with it.