Circle of Ignorance

Native Labour Muddle in New Guinea is a Vicious Circle of Ignorance

Letter to the Editor

THE policy of the present “set-up” in New Guinea is hard to understand.

With one voice, the Administration tells the natives, “You need not work”; and, in the same breath, informs them that “we are going to establish Agricultural Schools for you, in order that you may learn how to plant up taro.” In other words, “you need not work,” and “we are teaching you how to work.”

Naturally, this is a bit confusing to natives whose forbears planted their gardens for thousands of years, long before anthropologists were even contemplated.

During the years of war, the native was ‘•pushed around” at the beck and call of all of us. He did not know who was who, and there were few who understood his outlook. There were none he could “lean on,” or to whom he could confide.

To-day, he wants just to be left alone, and he should be free to do as he pleases, as in times past. If he desires to work for his old employer, he should be allowed to do so. On the other hand, if he does not want to return to his “place”—usually for some good reason—he should not be forced. He still is, as in the past, a free native nauve. . , . , .

He usually knows what is good for h m, and resents (as we do) others out o touch with his environment assuming the role of protector.

If an employer is considered to be below standard in his treatment of employees, the native has the sense to keep from him, and to spread his reputation far and wide. On the other hand, where an employer is “in tune” with the native, and understands his make-up, the reverse is the case—he finds no lack or natives who are willing to work for him, as in times past.

Day after day, natives come in to our centre and ask, “What time master belong me come back?” In every case, their “masters” have been old hands with ex-

cellent reputation and outlook as regards their treatment of indentured servants, who do not forget easily.

Natives often refer to “the good time before”—they easily differentiate between their pre-war conditions, and the present.

A native recently asked me, when told he could not obtain rice, as it was now too expensive, “What time old Guv’ment come up”?

Daily, small things one observes in the native attitude suggest a certain amount of mental unrest.

All Government Departments complain of “labour shortage”; and the condition of roads, and the rapid growth of weeds, is proof of this.

On the other hand, many of the old employers of labour have been unable to engage their former boys, owing to the high costs of native issues. Meat is now 100 per cent, higher than pre-war; laplap material is 1/8 per yard, against 6d; rice is 100 per cent, higher; and, with the export duty of 1/3 per pound on tea, im posed by the Tea Board, the result, as it effects the native, is catastrophic.

The situation seems to be illustrated by that famous fable about “grasping the shadow for the substance.” The present policy seems to have been designed for the future conditions, in regard to native needs, while the present and immediate needs of the native are regarded as of secondary importance, as shown in the high cost of food essential to his exist ence (unless he is willing to plant gardens, which the average sophisticated native is not).

The present unhappy set up is due not so much to calculated cussedness, as to lack of knowledge and understanding.

I am,

R. Abaul.

New Britain, 16th August, 1946.