Ng's Planners

"Research" Section —Minister ts Asked Some Questions

IT often has been charged against the Australian Minister for Territories, Mr. Ward, that the policy which is causing so much disruption, confusion and economic loss in the Territories of Papua and New Guinea was designed for him by a war-time body of well-meaning planners called Army Research Section, the director of which, Mr. Coni on, was a Sydney medical student who was given the rank of Colonel.

The following questions were asked in the Australian Parliament on April 23, by Mr. White:— “What members of the former Military Research Section are now employed in the Department of External Territories, giving (a) former rank and (b) overseas war experience? What duties do they carry out; and where; and at what re muneration?

Mr. Ward replied: “The following per sons who were members of the Director ate of Research and Civil Affairs, De partment of the Army, are now attached to organisations located in Sydney, under the control of the Department of External Territories:— 1. —Australian School of Pacific Admin istration —(i) J. R. Kerr. Colonel, member of AIF, Principal of the School, salary £1,250 per annum; (ii) I. Hogbin, Lieut- Colonel, member of AIF, Lecturer (part time) salary £250 per annum; (hi) J. P.

McAuley, Captain, member of AIF, Lec turer, salary £7OO per annum; (iv) Miss

I. E. Leeson, Major, member of Australian Women’s Auxiliary Service, Librarian, salary £3OO per annum.

“2.—Legal Section—(i) T. P. Fry, Lieut-Colonel, member of AIF, Officer-in- Charge, employed part-time on fee of £150; (ii) E. Smith, Captain, AIF, Assis tant Ofiicer-in-Charge, £720 per annum.

“All the members of the Australian Imperial Force had service overseas.”