Australia May “Protect Butch N. Guinea

Logical Development of Threat from Red Asia

HHERE are indications that—pri- L marily because of the defence oblem that confronts Australia in lation to Asia—Netherlands and ustralia will form some sort of lion, so as to hold and administer estern New Guinea.

This is written on June 11. To iy, the Australian Prime Minister at the Hague, in conference with e Dutch Government. The status New Guinea is under consideration.

It is only justice that Australia ould help Netherlands to hold this mnant of her Indonesian Empire, was an Australian Socialist Govern ed, aided and abetted by the Red istralian Waterside Workers’ Union, lich assisted the British Socialist Dvernment in pushing the Dutch t of Indonesia, and installing the -called Indonesian Republic.

Now the Indonesian set-up, as was evitable, is in a condition of dis tegration. Administrative organi tion and police control are collaps y. There is increasing penetration the whole region by Asiatic Reds, avellers tell of increasing threats their safety by criminals. Euro ans are demonstratively hated.

It is 2i years since the Indonesian esident (Dr. Soekarno), in Janu y, 1950, said: “Before the last sun falls this year, Western New jinea will be incorporated in an

iependent Indonesia.”

There have been many changes ice then; and a few months ago 5 Netherlands Government and donesia were discussing a plan for nr joint control of New Guinea, ith the increasing weakness of the donesian Government, and the in :asing concern of Australia regard- I the Territory, the Dutch have ten a stronger line.

Now, some sort of understanding th Australia seems likely.

Indonesia will be offended and stile, of course; but there is no •eat to the safety of the South Paci in Indonesia itself. The Indonesians ve no military strength. The real nger lies in the possibility of the :hipelagoes providing the Asiatic ;ds with a land bridge to the South ,cific.

Holland, away in Europe and eply concerned with Western Euro an defences, has no forces to spare r the protection of her adminis ition in Western New Guinea. But istralia has substantial and grow l armed forces; and no doubt, as rt of an understanding, Australian

air and sea forces, based on West Australia, Darwin, Port Moresby and Manus, will provide Western New Guinea with protection, if necessary.

It is a logical development, follow ing Australia’s increasing concern over the Red threat from South-East Asia.

Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Schultze, after a long holiday in Australia, are re turning home to Kavieng. NG, this month.

Marlyn-Lawson Wedding

MISS WINSOME LAWSON wore a gown of white chantilly lace over nylon net and taffeta when she married Mr.

Joseph Martyn, of District Services De partment, at the Catholic Church, Rabaul, NG, on May 17.

Miss Jo Keeting was bridesmaid and Mr. John Short best man. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father White.

A reception was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Warner Shand. Rabaul.

Mr. Graham may be seen again

in the Islands with another vessel

next summer—the old New Zealand

scow Scott, which he purchased in

Auckland some months ago.