Work?
p. 53 · Read in the full issue
Can A Native Refuse To
Letter to the Editor I BELIEVE the new Papua-New Guinea Native Labour Ordinance is out. I would like to know if, in the main Ordinance or the regulations, a native can be charged with “Refusal to perform work allotted to him.”
When I first went to Papua a regulation existed under which a native could be charged with either Neglect or Refusal to Perform Work. Quite sensible, as there is a difference. Many a sulky Gulf native I have known to flatly refuse to perform his work. However, a later Ordinance omitted the words “or refuses.” Not so sensible. When I pointed this out to the Commissioner for Native Affairs, instead of remedying the omission, he did nothing.
Instead he seemed (to me) to eloat over the fact that a native could not be charged with refusal! Dealing with and disciplin ing the Gulfltes (the type who killed poor old Tom Bowers) an Ordinance needs to be pretty water-tight and should cover everything.
I am, etc.,
Sydney H. Chance,
Brisbane, Ex-R.M. (Papua). 2/2/51.
EDITORIAL NOTE—The Ward-Murray plan of controlling native labour makes no provision for anything like that. Under the new regime, the native is treated like a European. If he enters into an engage ment to work, and then refuses orders, the employer’s only remedy is to take him to a civil court, and the court may tell him that he is a naughty, naughty native, and fine him five shillings, or thereabouts.
The old-timer’s effective measures against a recalcitrant servant —a short spell in calaboose, or a heavy smack across that part of his anatomy provided by nature for the purpose—are frowned upon by the
gangs of Bloomsbury Planners now in charge of the Empire. They say that these things are part of the system they call “Colonialism;” and, even although “Colonialism” produced the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and a score of nations in South America, it is condemned by the Planners as very wicked indeed . . . Wake up, Mr.
Chance! This is 1951, and the great era of racial brotherhood, peace on earth and goodwill towards all men! , Fiji Customs revenue for January broke all previous records. Duty collected was over £200,000. With large quantities oi cargo arriving on every overseas vessel, the Customs sheds are proving inadequate.