D. M. Cleland
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
Career of Man Selected for New Job in N. Guinea
THE new Assistant Administrator of Papua-New Guinea, Brig adier Don Mackinnon Cleland, is no stranger to the Territories; and his record suggests that he will be a very useful man there.
He is 50 years old. He was born and educated in West Australia, and practised there for many years as a solicitor and barrister. He en listed for active service in World War II in October, 1939, and he saw the active service in the Middle East and New Guinea.
By 1942, he had attained the rank of Brigadier. For 2i years, he was Chief of Staff to the' Military Ad ministration in Papua-New Guinea, and in this capacity he was respon sible for much of the actual ad ministration. He also was chair man of the Production Control Board. At the end of the war he was awarded CBE for his services in New Guinea —he already had the MBE for good work in Greece. He was twice mentioned in despatches.
When the death of Prime Minis ter Curtin created a vacancy in Fremantle seat in 1945, Mr. Cleland contested it as Liberal candidate against Mr. K. Beazley, but was de feated. He then, in 1946, became Director of the Federal Secretariat of the Australian Liberal Party, and he is given much of the credit
for the victories of that electoral organisation in 1949 and 1951.
The Minister (Mr. Hasluck) has said that the appointment of Mr.
Cleland “does not vary in any way the nature of the office of Adminis trator, but it provided the Adminis trator with a senior official who
could assist him, particularly in thr co-ordination and efficient function: ing of the various departments o the Administration, and in the pro: motion of development policies.'’
In October, 1950, advertisement invited applications for the post of two Deputy Administrator:!
Some 120 persons applied. M;1 Cleland was recommended by tlr Selection Board as the outstandiir candidate.
But the appointments were lorn delayed. It appears that the tern “Deputy Administrator” was no liked—especially in view of definij tions given in the Papua-Nee Guinea Act. It was decided final! that “Assistant” described the dutie. more accurately, and only one ws needed.
Mr. Cleland left Sydney by air o September 8, and assumed duty i Moresby on the 10th.
Mrs. Cleland will follow her hm band shortly. They have two som one of whom is being prepared U: “the land,” and the other is atteno. the University in Sydney.
Mr. Cleland has been foi< tunate in obtaining a suitable resg dence immediately—the resident); in Lawes Road of the late MI Edwards, the geologist who ws' killed recently in an accident, an which was put up for sale lai month.