Territories

Union For The Australian

New Bill Provides Administrative Machinery For Papua and N. Guinea

A BILL to formally approve the Trusteeship Agreement for the Territory of New Guinea, in sub stitution for the terms of the Mandate from the League of Nations, and to pro vide for the permanent administration of that Territory in an administrative union with the Territory of Papua, was introduced in the House of Representa tives, Canberra, on June 17, by the Minister for External Territories, Mr.

Ward. The Bill passed the first reading stage; and will be further dealt with by tne Australian Parliament at the September-October session.

Before the 1939-1945 War, each Terri tory had its own administration, with separate public services and adminis trators. Following the Japanese invasion these administrations were suspended, and a Military administration carried on from February 12, 1942, until October, 1945, when a Provisional Civil Adminis tration was introduced, to jointly admin ister the two Territories.

The Australian Government has de cided that the former separate adminis trations shall not be restored, and has approved an administrative union of the two Territories, with provision for one Administration head, one legislative body and for common public services for the whole area.

The Bill gives effect to that decision.

Its main provisions include:— Administrative and legislative arrange ments under which there will be an Ad

ministrator assisted by an executive council consisting of nine officers of the territory.

As soon as practicable there will be a Legislative Council consisting of the Administrator and 28 members. The 28 will comprise:— Officers of the Territory 16 Nominated by Administrator— Reps, of Missions 3 Reps, of non-indigenous popu lation 3 Reps, from native population 3 Members to be elected 3 Total members 28 The Legislative Council is empowered to make Ordinances for the peace, order and good government of the Territory.

Pending the establishment of the Legislative Council the Governor-General will continue to make Ordinances for the Territory.

In addition, Advisory Councils for native matters are to be established (appointed by the Administrator) to con sist of natives and Europeans, with a majority of natives.

Provision also exists for the establish ment of native village councils and native courts.

The Territory, which will henceforth be known as the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, will have its own Supreme

Court, from whose decisions appeals will lie to the High Court of Australia.

The Minister is also authorised to make arrangements and agreements for the carrying out of works, undertakings and research with a view to promoting the welfare of the people of the Territory and the development of its resources.

Authority is given for a special Insti tute to provide for the training of officers for the service of the Administration.

The new system will come into opera

tion on a date to be fixed by proclamafcion - . m , The whole of the revenues of the Territory are to be expended on the Territory, The Administrator will not be appointed for a term, but “during the pleasure of the Governor-General.”