"Provisional" Capital

Moresby Will be "Provisional" Capital

fIIHE future capital of the Territory of New Guinea had not yet been chosen, the Minister for External Territories (Mr. Ward) told Mr. Anthony in the Australian Parliament on Sep tember 25. Port Moresby would be the seat of the Provisional Administration of Papua-New Guinea.

Mr. Anthony recalled that before the war there had been an extensive survey in New Guinea and Papua, aimed at finding out how the civil administration was affecting the life and health of the average native. He thought that about 50,000 names were registered as a result of the survey in the few years preceding the war. The officer in charge was Mr.

Chinnery, now an anthropologist in the Northern Territory. A similar survey now would probably be more valuable, because of the Jap occupation of the natives’ living areas.

Mr. Anthony also asked the Minister to indicate when civil administration would be restored.

Mr. Ward replied: “It is hoped that the civil administration will be restored some time in October. I am not able to indicate the exact date because trans port difficulties are involved.”

Mr. Cameron: “Leave it for a month, and call it Guy Fawkes’ day!”' Mr. Ward said as plans were made for the development of the Territory and its natives, they would be announced by the Government. “I can assure Mr.

Anthony that the Government is press ing on with its plans and civil adminis tration will be restored soon in the Ter ritory. Natives will be given better conditions and eventually will be given the opportunity to share in their own Government.”