Australian Ignorance Of N. Guinea Is ‘Abysmal’

And ‘Disgraceful’

Former Head of ANGAU Is Critical of Territories Conditions

SOME rather sour comment on adminis trative conditions in New Guinea, and on the Australian Government policy which made such conditions pos sible, was made in Melbourne in Novem ber, in the course of a public address, by Major-General B. M. Morris, who was in charge of the Territories, as military com mander, and as head of ANGAU, during most of World War II.

According to “The Age,’’ these are some of General Morris’s comments;— “The abysmal ignorance displayed by members and Ministers of the Federal Parliament who create the laws and ordi nances of the New Guinea Territory is disgraceful.

“In 1943, I suggested that the New Guinea and Papua territory be represented in the Federal Parliament on the same basis as the Northern Territory—to-day, I reaffirm that suggestion.”

General Morris said that the knowledge of New Guinea which was lacking among Parliamentarians was not to be acquired in five minutes. He had met a missionary in the territory who had been there 34 years, and he had told him that he had been there just long enough to realise that he knew little of the natives.

In criticising the Government’s policy of increasing wages and war-damage pay ments to the natives, General Morris said that it made his heart bleed to see the state of the natives after the ravages of war. “But it is not an increase in money and wages the natives need,” he said. “What is needed is a large and well-managed medical and education scheme.”

Commenting on United Nations’ criti cism of Australia’s refusal to grant self- Government to New Guinea, Major-Gen eral Morris said that the natives are not yet fitted for self-government. “They are too easily swayed,” he said.

Natives did not appreciate familiarity, and when a white man was familiar with them, that man sank rapidly in their estimation. Amplifying this statement, he said that in 1944 the Minister for External Territories (Mr. Ward) visited the terri tory, and was being taken ashore in a canoe from a larger ship when the canoe ran aground. A native immediately offered to carry Mr. Ward ashore, but the Minister, never one to use a fellow man as a beast of burden, declined; took off his shoes, rolled up his trousers and waded to the beach. Later a native was heard to say of Mr. Ward: “Him Kanaka belong Sydney.”

Canberra’s Lack of Energy In

New Guinea

UNDER the heading of “Post-War De velopment of New Guinea,” the Mel bourne “Herald” said: — It is well that the people of Australia— and especially the legislators and admin istrators at Canberra —should be sharply reminded at intervals of the existence and significance to them of New Guinea and Papua.

Although Major-General Morris may have been indulging in a degree of hyper bole when referring this week to “abysmal ignorance displayed by members and Ministers of the Federal Parliament, who create the laws and ordinances for New Guinea,” there is ample scope for criticism of the tropical languor which seems to have overtaken Commonwealth adminis trative policy for these territories.

Delays by the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations in finalising the terms

of the New Guinea trust do not excuse inertia in developing Papua, which has long been under direct Australian juris diction.

Remote control from Canberra of many problems intimately affecting the lives of about a million people in New Guinea and Papua cannot fail to have a stultify ing effect upon the progress of territories so far removed from the seat of control.

One of the best examples of the bene ficial effect of administrative authority delegated to trustworthy men on the spot was given by ANGAU, the military unit which promoted native welfare in time of war. After making elaborate surveys of the resources and needs of the territories, ANGAU did much planning and prepara tory work for the rehabilitation of life in the native villages. The Canberra auth ority, which resumed control after the war, has shown little sign of vision or energy in carrying forward this work of reconstruction and development.

Although the terms of Australia’s title deeds to these territories vary, the task ahead is the same.

First consideration must always be given to native welfare. It is not enough, as Major-General Morris emphasises, to in crease the nominal wages of indentured native labourers and to stimulate in them an artificial demand for goods from the white man’s stores.

Beginning with native agriculture, fish eries, boat building and handicrafts, the natives need guidance towards self-re liance in conducting larger industries in copra, coffee, rice and possibly rubber and tea plantations. Extensive pig raising is necessary to overcome protein deficiency in the diet, and the concomitant dietary diseases.

Native health and education policies should be directed toward an objective of comprehensive organisations relying upon native medical practitioners, nurses and teachers.

For a long time to come the New Guinea-Papua administrations must be under the tutelage of Australians, trained in the territories with the understanding of the natives and their ways. The best of the native folk lore can be retained and expanded, the worst gradually elimin ated.

Self-government for the natives may not be practicable for generations, but Aus tralia is pledged to work to that end.

These territories must develop their own economy and culture in close association with Australia. They are an inseparable part of the Pacific defence zone. As has been proved all too starkly in the recent past, these islands are the northern bas tion of the defence of the Australian mainland.

Payment To Traitors in NG

Alleged

THOUSANDS of pounds have been paid to Japanese collaborators in New Britain by the Australian Govern ment, the official paper of the Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen claims.

The paper says that a former Japanese provost officer was given a new home and paid extensive war damage, while com pensation was paid to another man who received privileges from the Japanese for information on loyal natives.

It calls for a Royal Commission into the administration of Papua and New Guinea, and rounding up and punishing of all war criminals.

Five names of people claimed to have collaborated with the Japanese have been

submitted to the District Office, Port Moresby, and action will be taken against them in accordance with Government policy.

Asa contrast, an Australian ex-Ser-

viceman was deported from New Britain, because he had not obtained the necessary permit from the Department of External Affairs. The deportation followed a dic tation test as a prohibited immigrant.

Mr. Ward after wading ashore in New Guinea in 1944—See reference in Column 1 of this page.