Manus
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
Civil Government
Extended
To Bougainville and Manus
Canberra, May 23.
TWO more sections of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea have been returned to Civil Administration:— May 15.—District of Kieta (Bougain ville and Buka Islands, and the small islands off their coasts.
May 21.—District of Manus (the Ad miralty Islands).
Today’s official announcement stated that New Britain and New Ireland, the only parts of the Territory still under military control, would be transferred to the Pro visional Administration before the end of June.
The Provisional Administration took control of Papua and the portion of New Guinea south of the Markham River on October 30. 1945. On March 1, 1946, con trol was extended to the remainder of the New Guinea mainland.
It is believed officially that the transfer of Manus to civilian control will not affect claims by the United States for the use of the island as a Pacific base.