New Public Service

In N. Guinea

Many "Old Hands" in the New Set-up

OVER 100 men, and a few women, have arrived in Port Moresby, to join the service of the new Provisional Gov ernment. The great majority of them are former members of the Public Ser vice of New Guinea or Papua.

We have applied to Canberra for a list of the appointments; but it appears that, because it is “incomplete,” the De partment at present is unwilling to supply such a list. However, we have compiled, from various sources, the fol lowing list of men and women who recently have proceeded from Australia to Port Moresby, evidently to join the new Public Service. It is not complete, because a number of men transferred directly from ANGAU and other Terri tory formations to the new service; and we do not guarantee its accuracy:— Adams, E. H. Downs, J. P. G.

Armstrong, R. F. Dunlop, R. B.

Ashley, C. Dunstan, Miss J. M.

Atkinson, O. J. Ecclestone, J. W.

Barwick, R. F. Ethell, A. L.

Bartlett, J. Evans, H. W.

Bedser. W. Farland, R. M.

Beer, G. A. Fisher, L. J.

Bensted, P. A. Frame, J. M.

Bitmead, H. J. Frank, Mrs. P.

Brammell, J. B. Franklin, R. A.

Burke, J. P. L. Froggatt, J. L.

Burns, Paul. Fry, A. E.

Bryant, L. K. Grahamslaw, Miss.

Cahill, P. D. Gray. L. G. W.

Chambers, K. M. Gough, T. P.

Champion, Ivan. Hardy, H. W.

Chester, W. H. M. Holmes, Pat.

Chester, N. B. Humphries, W. R.

Chugg, R. C. Hurrell L J.

Clanville, H. R. Jones, J., Nurse.

Clout, Les. Lambden. W. J.

Dobbie, R. S. Lea, F. B.

Donaldson, P. R. Logan, L.

Long, A. J. Ridge, A. A.

Lowney, F. V. Rigby, J. L.

Lyons, John. Rutledge, D. F. M.

Mann, J. T. Schacht, W. H.

Marshall, A, W. Schuler, C. B.

May, Dr. A. J. Sheekey, K. S.

Melrose, R. Sinclair, Dr. B. P.

Minogue, A. H. Steeples, E.

McGowan. W. L. Stevens, R. N. B.

McLennan, Geo. Stock, Miss E. C.

McLeod, J. S. Taylor, E.

Newman, F. G. Taylor, J. H.

Nicholas, W. S. Toogood, G. W.

Noble, A. Thomas, J. R.

Nolan, R. Tuckey, Mrs.

Odgers, L. Turner, G. V. M.

Pearse, F. A. Wall, Miss I. E.

Pinguet, Mrs. Watkins, A. E.

Pullen, P. L. White, Dr. J. H. N.

Radford, G. A. Willis, R. S.

Richardson. E. T. Woodman, H. E.

Generally, it would appear that the men are going to positions in the new service similar to those which they left, in the old. There will be several new Departmental heads, however. Most of the Papuan heads had retired, and many of the New Guinea Departmental chiefs were lost when Australia abandoned 300 Rabaul civilians to the invading Japs.

It is understood that Mr. R. Melrose will be the new Government Secretary; Mr. E. Taylor will have District Services; Mr. J. H. Taylor will be in charge of Native Affairs; Dr. Sinclair will have charge of Health; Mr. Pat. Holmes will be back in his old job, in charge of Lands; Mr. John Lyons will have Public Works; Mr. W. R. Humphries has a new and special position connected with rehabili tation and the assessment of damages; and Mr. W. J. Lambden, Mr. A. W.

Marshall, and Mr. F. V. Lowney, have high executive posts.

There are many experienced and highly competent men in this list, and if the re-establishment of Civil Government had been left freely in their hands, all might have been well. But they go back to administer a Socialistic set-up for which most of them will feel nothing but

contempt. As loyal men, they will be expected to endure the confusion and the clamour —echoes of which already are reaching us—and say nothing. Few will envy them their tasks.