UN Tells New Guinea How

It Should Be Done

IT is believed that the four-nation mission which visited Trust Terri tories in the Pacific last year will suggest at the next UN Trusteeshm meet ing that Australia undertake a large road-building nrogramme in New Guinea.

The UN mission seems to have been quite carried away with the idea of building roads in New Guinea, as this is all we have heard from their extended visit there in 1950. It is quite as obvious that they have no adequate idea of the task involved. It appears that they have suggested that a road be ■ built from Madang to Mount Hagen—loo miles—at a cost of £10,000,000 and an annual main tenance of £lOO,OOO. But although the cost is so high, the UN mission feels it would be worth it.

Why should it be worth it? The only

justification for building such a road from Madang to Mount Hagen—or from Lae to Hagen which would be a much more reasonable route—and to keep it open, would be exploitation of the Highland area and the Highland natives. But these UN gentlemen usually scream their heads off at the idea of native land or in habitants being made to produce anything.

If the Highlands are to be thrown open to intensive European settlement, and the establishment of such industries as tea, coffee, quinine growing or cattle raising pushed ahead in a vigorous and realistic manner, then there may be something in building an adequate road to the coast.

But if the industry of the Highlands is going to be native industry, then we will not need to worry about a road for another 100 years; and, if the Highlands are to be left pretty much as they are to-day, then there is nothing—health services, education and trade goods—that cannot be taken to the Highlanders in the way they are taken now —by air.