P-Ng Legislative Council
pp. 19-113 · Read in the full issue
Opened
New Channel for Reaching Moresby and Canberra
rS Legislative Council which was established at Port Moresby on November 26 is not i new thing: it is new only so far is the Papua-New Guinea combined idministration is concerned. Before World War 11, both the Mandated territory of NG, and the old Aus ralian Territory of Papua had .legislative Councils, set up to assist nd advise the Administrations.
The new Council, however, has ome new features, summarised hus: • It has rather wider powers than leretofore in the making of new aws, and its general procedure con orms more than previously to that f an Australian Parliament. (But 11 its Ordinances are subject to ac eptance by the Administrator and ome, over and above that, to ap proval by the Commonwealth Par ament.) • Of the 29 members, three Euro eans are elected by popular vote, ill the others are there either ex fficio, or as the nominees of the idministrator. • Three of the nominated mem ers are natives.
A very wide range of subjects was iscussed by the Council during its vo weeks’ session; but, over all, was re consciousness that, through the x officio members, and because of is power of nomination and veto, le Council was entirely subject to le control, of the Administrator.
Everyone is agreed, however, that the first session of the Coun cil has been very successful, and a big step forward in P-NG government.
Moresby’S Hectic Week
For Port Moresby, the first was a eek of ceremonies and talk.
On Saturday, November 24, the .dministrator of the Common ealth, Sir John Northcott (acting i the absence of the Governor ieneral, then abroad), and the [mister for Territories, Mr. Paul lasluck, arrived by plane.
The visitors were accommodated t Government House and that irening, at dinner, they were the nests of the Papua Club.
On Sunday, a Commonwealth arhamentary delegation of five, ac- Jmpanied by the Department’s ecretary, Mr. C. R. Lambert, ar ved by air. Mr. Lambert went to bvemment House and the Parlia lentarians to the Hotel Papua.
On Monday, 26th, natives gathered i their thousands to see the In nguration.
Military units and Papuan Police araded; the highest officials took ie salute; and then everyone pro dded to the new Red Cross Hall,
temporary meeting-place of the Council.
Sir John Northcott delivered an inaugural address and then, at the request of the Minister, administered the oath of office, as President of the Council, to the Administrator (Colonel Murray).
At 4 pm, the President took the chair; the new Councillors were sworn in; they were addressed by the Minister (Mr. Hasluck) and by members of the Parliamentary dele gation; the President delivered an address; some of the new Council lors spoke; and the draft of the Standing Orders were tabled.
That evening, at the Hotel Papua, a Territorial Dinner, at tended by all the local people who could be accommodated, celebrated the opening of the Council.
Early next morning, Sir John Northcott and Mr. and Mrs. Has luck departed for Australia.
The New Council
Later in the day, the Council dealt with various formalities and then settled down to serious dis cussions. The following constituted the new Council; — President; The Administrator.
Ex Officio Members: D. M.
Cleland, Claude Champion, J. H.
Jones, Dr. J. T. Gunther, Ivan Champion, H. H. Reeve, W. C.
Groves, C. C. Marr, E. P. Holmes, J.
B. McAdam, W. W. Watkins, T. P.
M. Byrne, H. L. R. Niall, J. K. Mc- Carthy, J. R. Foldi, S. Elliott-Smith.
Elected Members: D. Barrett (New Guinea Islands), C. M. Jacobsen (New Guinea Mainland), E. A.
James (Papua).
Nominated Non-Official Members Missions: Revs. D. E, Ure, J.
Dwyer, F. G. Lewis.
Native Members.: Merari Dickson, Aisoli Salin, Simogen.
Non-Official Members: B. E.
Fairfax-Ross, Mrs. D. R. Booth, J.
B. Sedgers.
A very big business paper had been arranged.
The following are some of the main points of interest in the in numerable speeches delivered:—
Chinese Community
A broad outline of policy was given by Sir John Northcott. Sub ject to protection of the rights and future of the natives, he said, it was the intention of Australia to develop the Territory by private en terprise and by encouraging new settlement, especially by former servicemen.
(Continued on Page 105)
It had been noted that, although here is a large, healthy and growing Jhinese community in New Guinea, 10 provision had been made for [irect Chinese representation in the Jouncil. Sir John made this com aent: “As for that section of the inmigrant population which is not f European origin, we recognise hat their future is bound up with hat of the rest of the Territory and hat they can make their contribu ion to the deVelppment of the ountry. They should be encouraged ) feel that their hope for the future es in association with Australians i a common task, a common oppor unity and a common allegiance, he fact that European, Asiatic and ative have all suffered in the de snce of this country and that mem ers of each group have been onoured for their service to the ling should help to bind them in Dmmon endeavour in peacetime,”
Native Labour Supply
On the subject of a native labour ipply, Sir John Northcott said:— Native labour cannot be regarded s a perpetual supply. Already langes in the personal inclination f natives who are free agents in lis matter are discernible. We
consider the Territory will have to think more purposefully in terms of greater mechanisation and the raising of the skill of the individual workman.”
Purpose Of The Council
This Council provided an oppor tunity, hitherto lacking, for the clear and responsible expression of opinion by various sections of the
community, said Mr. Hasluck. He hoped to see an honest interchange of views on matters of common in terest, an avoidance of sectionalism —“that stubborn defence of pre pared positions which is character istic of argument in some older assemblies.”
He urged members during Council sessions to take the fullest
ivantage of “question time” to id out what was going on in the aim of administration.
The composition of the Council is not fixed. Its constitution and >wers would be altered in the fht of experience.
“It is the purpose of the Com onwealth Government to make ovision so that, continuously over number of years, major develop ental works, the encouragement industry, and the extension of cial policy can take place on such scale as to ensure both the pro ess of the Territory and the ful ment of our obligations to its ople.”
Problem Of Finance:
Taxation
In his survey of the economic and lancial position, the Minister said e Commonwealth had voted ,371,000 to the Territory; the Tritory’s own revenue of 720.000 would provide a total in tne of £7,091,000; which was about 30.000 more than last year. Steps ire being taken to ensure that, though the estimates had been merely cut, efficiency and develop mt would not suffer unduly. The blic service would be set at 1,400, lich was 110 higher than last ar, but definitely less than the 25 of the approved establishment, rhe Minister was listened to most refully—residents were anxious to ow whether there was to be in me taxation. But, on this sub :t, this was all the Minister said: ‘Another matter to which atten n will be given is the most equit le way in which a local contribu n to revenues to be expended in 3 Territory can be made. ‘The Government does not wisn take any actions which would icourage developmental and pro ctive activities; but it believes at some of the wealth derived >m the Territory should be mghed back into the Territory. ‘We observe, too, that a number services to which the user cus narily contributes in other lands 5 here provided at low cost or ' nothing.” rhe Administrator (Colonel Mur y) said much the same thing in sse words: ‘Additional sources of taxation 11 have to be tapped. We must asider ways and means of bievmg this, such as the collec n of appropriate forms of direct cation, the introduction of stamp ties, and generally the taxation such commercial and industrial tiyities as may be capable of armg taxation without undue ect on the incentive to provide 'vice and develop this Territory.”
Higher Customs Duty
rhe introduction to the Council a Bill authorising a 10 por cent, rcharge on all dutiable goods en 'ing PNG caused a shock. Non icial members protested that this
would add substantially to the al ready high cost of living.
Official members retorted that, although PNG was committed to huge additional expenditure, com pared with 1950-51, only £700,000 additional income was available this year. Either additional income must be found, or many important developmental works must cease.
The measure was adopted, but in the face of strong non-official dis content.
Administrator’S Survey
In formally opening the Council the Administrator (Colonel J. K.
Murray) gave a lengthy and in formative survey of administration responsibility and activity in the combined Territories.
He commented upon the progress
“made in the social and political development of the native people”; the work of the Missions, especially in education, where they main tained over 2,000 native schools; the work still to be done in re lation to health and education; and the importance of encouraging in dustrial development.
Shipping Services
The Production Control Board has taken over control, for the Com monwealth Government, of the inter-island shipping services and plans are in hand by the PCB, the Territories and the Shipping De partments “to bring the shipping services more fully into line with current and prospective require ments.” The introduction of the Polurian by Bougainville interests
was welcome and it was hoped that private enterprise would further extend in this direction. (Adminis trator) .
PCB is to be replaced at once by a Commerce Board of 5 members.
Price Of Copra
Referring to the MOF copra con tract, which has six years to run, and planters’ discontent with the returns therefrom in comparison with world values, the Adminis trator said: “Negotiations are in train with United Kingdom authorities with the object of gaining 'producers some of the benefits of the current high open-market prices.” (See p. 14.)
Future Territories’
Industries
Referring to other industries, the Administrator said that the two major gold companies had turned to timber projects “which promise a perpetual forest industry”; and that, if the right standards are maintained, “there should never be any real difficulty in selling all the Territory’s output to Australia.”
Cocoa production had “very good prospects.” Coffee production was increasing and in some areas, where there was native labour, was probably the best crop.
He described the production of fibres as “most promising.” He em phasied the world shortage of jute, etc., and said that important ex periments were afoot with Kenaf, Manilla hemp, Sisal hemp, and Pandanus fibre.
“Rice grows successfully in many parts”; and “rice production should be increased up to about 20,000 tons p.a., so that we will not be dependent on imports for this im portant item of native labour rations.”
It was hoped to establish cattl. production in the Territory, and target of 40,000 head had been se to make PNG self-sufficient in be and milk. There were now on some 4,000 head in PNG. The At ministration had established cattl, breeding stations in key locations.,
Future Of Rabaul
There was a concensus of opinic that Rabaul, as a residential are should be abandoned, said the At ministrator. The problem w where to place the residential are and where the wharf faciliti should go.
He said that, under the Ministei instructions all necessary data w being assembled, “so that early the New Year a decision can 1 made in exact terms."
Markham Bridge
The wartime Wau-Labu road being continuously improved and carrying increasing traffic. The ir portant Markham Point bridge, eliminate the existing ferry link wi Lae, was to have been commenct this year. The materials for tl bridge are still being accumulate The date of the commencement construction will depend on tl availability of funds. —Admini trator.
Mfc’S Lost In War
In his opening address, the Ai ministrator (Colonel J. K. Murra; recalled that the following membe of the old New Guinea Legislatf Council were lost through w; causes following the Japanese ii vasion.
Messrs. H. Adams, R. L. Clarke, R. Field, G. F. Hogan, George ] Murray, Harold Page, V, A, Pra and H. O. Townsend.
Subsequently, death had carri( off the following Council member
x. E. Aumuller, A. Jewell, S. R. )ldham, S. Smith, and F, W.
Williams.
The Native Members
The apppearance of native mem ers in the new Council was r atched with interest and curiosity, y both Councillors and spectators.
The three native members con ucted themselves with quiet ignity, and were neither obtru ve nor “flash.”
Aisoli Salin, on behalf of the iree natives, spoke briefly and Bfectively during the opening sremonies on the 26th. In his jeech—which, of course, had been repared and carefully vetted by Eficials —he expressed appreciation I the help the native peoples have ;ceived from the Europeans, be >ught sympathetic assistance in the iture, and hoped that, in time, ative members would contribute >mething valuable to the work of le Council.
Merari Dickson made a real con ibution to debates.
\ Native Medical Service
The principle of creating a Native
Medical Service within the De partment of Public Health was generally approved; but a Bill authorising same was postponed for further consideration because it was feared that, unless great care was taken, standards of pay and service for natives would be es tablished which might have a crippling effect upon native em ployment by industries generally.
Overall Plan And Land
Titles
Responding to a strong and logically - expressed plea by Mr.
Barrett for an over-all plan for the development of PNG, in which all sections of the community might co-operate—and in which he em phasised the importance of defining a land policy and making land titles available —Mr. Cleland made some interesting statements.
He agreed with Mr. Barrett that real co-operation in planning and achievement could best be effected at District Office level.
He said the task of making land available would be accelerated.
A Land Titles Commissioner had
een appointed for NG, and a Fative Land Commissioner would e appointed soon. A policy must Don be adopted in relation to ative lands.
Four areas—Gazelle Peninsula, [arkham Valley, Mambare area Northern Division) and Port [oresby hinterland were now larked for early investigation in jlation to settlement; and a survey I areas in the Wau district, to ssess suitability for agriculture, ;c.. was proceeding.
The Judicial System
A Bill to amend the judicial rstem was introduced, but it was that this was only to per lit a jury to be empanelled in the fust Territory for the trial of uropeans on capital charges. There as no provision for a jury in ■iminal cases.
Father Dwyer suggested that the ock-Wilkmson case indicated that reform was necessary to allow for ial by jury in all criminal cases, e urged the simplification of the
Dpeals channel—something to re
ace the costly procedure of appeal i the High Court.
The Crown Law Officer, Mr. Wat ns, said that an Appeal Court (a nil Court of the Supreme Court) as not possible at this stage.
Various
Mr. Fairfax-Ross pointed out that any navigation beacons were issing, along the coast-line of apua.
The Council passed an Appren- Deship Bill. Mr. Groves explained iat it was designed to regulate the lationship between employers and itive lads who were accepted as jprentices.
To facilitate the settlement of de based estates, the Council agreed a Bill providing for the registra nn of deaths which occured in artime, in circumstances which ade a death certificate impossible obtain.
Sharp comment upon the number undesirable Europeans in the srritories was made by Mrs. Booth.
She said that men with criminal records had been allowed in and they were encouraging bad practices —especially alcoholism —among the natives.
Mr. Barrett declared that the in cidence of TB in some districts of the Gazelle Peninsula was alarming, and he deplored the supension of work on the Bita Paka hospital.