Take the Native Into Your House!
p. 66 · Read in the full issue
Your House!
From Our Own Correspondent Lae, August 20.
THE Terroritories Town Planning Commission set up by the Australian Government, has been deliberating at Lae, under the Chairmanship of Mr.
Hollins, of Melbourne. How far their deliberations have carried them is not known to anyone here.
One decision arrived at by members— who either have queer pro-native lean ings, or know nothing about the New Guinea native —was a recommendation that native servants’ quarters should be a part of the white man’s house, or his garage (which is usually in near proxi mity) “in order to elevate the native to our level as soon as possible.”
Old residents of the Territories and magistrates who have had to try numberless cases of “Peeping Tom” and other trespasses on the white woman’s privacy will be pleased to know this, no doubt!
In all matters which affect the rehabi litation of the Territory old residents of good repute, with an Administration official to represent the official side, should constitute the advisory body. As long as persons who have no knowledge of native conditions in this tropical ter ritory (which is only just beginning to pass out of the Stone Age) are used to plan our rehabilitation, the wrong thing will usually be done.