Future of Dutch N. Guinea, Solomons, New
pp. 7-8 · Read in the full issue
Hebrides—and Pacific Security
THERE is much that is significant for us in recent events in Indo nesia and South-east Asia: — • Under pressure from the mis chief-making United Nations, the Dutch apparently have surrendered to the Indonesians, to the extent that they now are going to allow these people to have an equal if not a dominant voice in the future Govern ment of the large Archipelagoes be tween Australia and Asia. • Dutch interests—which naturally do not like what they see developing in the East Indies—are making a strong effort to keep Dutch New Guinea (the western half of the great Island of New Guinea) out of the new set-up, so that the Indonesians can have no voice in the control of Dutch New Guinea—in the future of which Australia and Oceania generally are vitally concerned. • United States interests, pre occupied with the problem of the future of Japan (where the popu lation is increasing by nearly 2,000,000 per annum) are inclined to support the proposition that Dutch New Guinea should be thrown open to colonisation by surplus Japanese. • Guided, directed and equipped by Moscow, Chinese Communist armies are sweeping steadily southwards through China. They already are close to the British Colony of Hong Kong; they threaten to close the gap m South China through which the remaining Nationalist provinces In South-west China receive supplies,
and they are menacing the non- Communist administrations of Indo china, Malaya, Siam, and Burma. • In order to impose a real obstacle between China and Japan (which they regard as an important bulwark between Communist Asia and the United States) General MacArthur and his advisers are believed to be giving serious consideration to the occupation by American troops of the great island of Formosa, just off the coast of China.
TT'OR many decades, the communities * of the South Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, have seen the menace to their future security which lies in the over-population of Asia. That menace has become greater in recent years, since Asia began to pass under the influence of Moscow, and to become generally Communist.
The establishment of Communism in China means its early establish ment in South-east Asia. The Indo nesian set-up, into which the un happy Dutch have been forced by Western European visionaries, Is honeycombed with Communism. It is not too much to fear that this line of stepping-stones between Malaya and Australia soon will be more or less controlled bv world Communist power.
That seems to be the situation, stated in general terms. At the moment. Australia—and Oceania— has a peculiar and particular interest in political events in New Guinea.
AUSTRALIA is as much interested in the future of Western New Guinea, which she does not control, as in Eastern New Guinea, which she holds in trust.
Three important factors now near upon the future of Western (Dutch) New Guinea—namely, the apparent wish of the Indonesians to control this Territory, and the equal deter mination of the Dutch that Indonesia shall be kept out; the proposal to transfer thither the surplus popu lation of Japan; and the discovery and recent development there of a great, new oilfield, which must pro foundly affect the Territory’s econo mic future.
The future of Dutch New Guinea has been widely discussed lately in newspaper articles. The Territory is being called, by some, “Iriania,” and it is believed there are 1,000,000 natives there. A small, literate sec tion of these natives has petitioned the Queen of Holland, begging that Iriania shall not pass under the control of the proposed United States of Indonesia, the constitution of which is now being discussed at The Hague. It is reported that a depu tation of four Irianians is on its way to The Hague to make a further ap peal that Iriania shall be developed as a separate Dutch Colony, indepen dent of the “Republic of United Indonesia” —and, failing that, that it be placed under Australian Trustee ship.
The 200,000 Eurasians of the for mer Netherlands Indies are asking that Iriana be kept as an indepen dent State for them.
AS it is plain that under the double impact of Asiatic Nationalism and advancing Communism, startling events are likely in South-east Asia and the Western Pacific generally within the next decade, non-Asiatic communities in the South Pacific— and especially Europeans. Polynesians and Melanesians—naturally look to Australia for leadership, in meeting whatever threats to their security are implicit in these events. So far, Aus tralia’s policy in relation to such developments is indefinite, and con fused by Socialistic thinking.
But the facts cannot be much longer ignored. Sooner or later Aus tralia must—in consultation, of course, with Britain and the United States —frame a policy which will guide her future political activities in the South-west and Western Pacific.
Australia now controls Eastern New Guinea and the Bismarck Archi pelago. For her future security she should control also the archipelagoes of the Solomon Islands and the New Hebrides, thus giving her a complete screen of Islands defences covering her northern and north-eastern frontiers.
So far, Australia has made a poor showing in the administration and development of her Pacific Islands Territories. But that is due to politics —confused thinking. Socialistic pre occupation with native welfare, and the maintenance of the wrong men in positions of authority—and the phase will pass. Australia is quite capable of properly developing the tropical Archipelagoes placed in her care: and there is little doubt that the European residents of the now tragically-neglected Solomon and New Hebrides Islands would prefer active Australian control to the con ditions under which they'now suffer.
It is not necessary to point out that efficient administration and a happy and contented European community provide the safest guarantee of native welfare.
It is not too much to hope that there some day will be created, under non-Socialist government, an Aus tralian Department of Pacific Islands, to take care of Eastern New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, Bougain ville, and the eight or more other large Islands of the Solomons and New Hebrides. This would represent a Territory almost as important in area, resources and potentialities, as the former great Dutch Territory of the East Indies; and this expanded Australian Pacific Islands Adminis tration then might co-operate very happily with the Dutch (Dutch New Guinea), British (Borneo and Fiji), French (New Caledonia) and Ameri cans (Micronesia and the Philip pines), for the security of the Pacific and the protection and advancement of the native peoples of the Islands.
A games evening was held at the resi dence of Mrs. Sutherland. Rabaul, NG, on August 29. The function was most sucand as a result of it. the RSL Building fund was opened with the sum of £5/5/-.