"Confused and Almost

Idle"

"Herald" Writer's Description of New Guinea

THERE has been some lively discussion in the “Sydney Morning Herald” concerning the state of New Guinea.

The “Herald” sent a special writer : to the Territory. His first article, on December 4, was headed “New Guinea is Confused and Almost Idle.” It was an admirable summary of the Territory’s unhappy condition. The correspondent pointed out that, even if Canberra had been committed irrevocably to its present policy of “New Guinea for the NG Natives,” the change-over could have taken place gradually, and without im posing the present brutal hardships upon European settlers and industries.

Forthwith, there rushed to the defence of the New Guinea Administration, Miss Ida Leeson, Dr. lan Hogbin, and Colonel John Kerr. They based their arguments, apparently, on the inference that the natives of New Guinea have been badly treated.

It was unfortunate that, at that par ticular time, Professor Bailey, represen tative of the Australian Government, at UNO, on December 5, should have been reported as saying of Australia’s record in New Guinea: “Australia for 20 years had carried out the task to the satisfac tion of the world and of the native in habitants.”

The editor of the “PIM,” Mr. Robson, pointed out that the people who were so eagerly defending Mr. Ward’s “New Order” were, until recently, in uniform as members of the panel of experts who assisted Mr. Ward to frame his policies —that Major Leeson and Lieut-Colonel Hogbin, from 1942 to 1946, spent most of their time between Port Moresby, Can berra and the Army Research Council in Melbourne, “assisting” the Territories Administration; but that not one ex perienced planter, trade or gold-miner appeared to have been officially con sulted.

The argument is likely to go for some time. It is quite useless. The Australian Labour Government has set up its Ter ritories Administration, complete with a “New Order” and financed with millions of taxpayers’ money; and the Australian electors have sent the Government back into power, with a thumping majority.

Politicians of the type of Mr. Ward call that a “mandate”—and there is nothing to be said that will achieve anything.