Administration Of

Papua-N. Guinea

Decisions Which Await Australian General Election

THE appointment of two Deputy Administrators for Papua - New Guinea —applications for which were invited six months ago—will not be made until after the General Election has been held in Australia (April 28) and a new Government has taken office.

Uutil the result of the election is known, it would be futile to guess at the probable appointees. Obviously, the gentlemen favoured by a Liberal Government might not expect to be selected by a Socialist Government.

If the Socialists win the general election, it may be taken as certain that Papua- New Guinea will experience still another sharp change of policy, and further con fusion. If the Liberals are confirmed in office, the Administration influences which, during the past six or nine months, have consistently resisted the implementa tion of the Spender policy, may find them selves in “a spot of bother.”

During the past month, Advisory Councils, to assist the District Commis sioners (late District Officers) have been appointed in the chief centres. Most lead ing citizens who were prepared to serve have been called to the Councils; and, at long last, residents have been given some voice in purely local affairs.

There is no sign, however, of the appointment of the Legislative Council (to deal with Territories affairs) which was promised by Mr. Spender. It is believed in some Quarters that the hold-up is due to bureaucratic preoccupation with native welfare. Some quarters insist that the Council cannot be set up without native members: and no one can find natives suitably qualified to become MLC’s.

Mr. Spender’S Departure

The late Minister for External Terri tories, Mr. Spender, left Sydney on the liner Himalaya, an April 16, for London and Washington, to assume his new post as Australian Ambassador in the United States. Mr. Spender, who has been under a heavy strain for a year as Minister for External Affairs, appeared, on the eve of sailing, to be completely worn out; and he was looking forward to a rest on the ship.

The two portfolios of External Affairs and External Territories have been taken over by the Prime Minister, until the general election on the 28th, and the appointment of a new Territories Minister.

If Mr. Menzies continues in office, he will receive urgent representations from Territories interests concerning the apointment of a new Territories Minister.

Papua-New Guinea definitely does not want a repetition of the late arrangement, under which Territories was linked with another very important portfolio.