Restricted Publicity For Important P-NG Statement

IT would be interesting to know why the Australian Minister for Territories chose to make an important announcement—namely, clarification of the Papua-New Guinea land policy—through an article in one newspaper (Sydney Morning Herald ) instead of by the usual official “handout”.

The statement (see next page) is of paramount importance to P-NG.

It shows that machinery has been lined up for the examination, appraisal and allocation of land; and, if it operates quickly and the driving-force of Acting Administrator Cleland probably will take care of that the effect on the Territories

should be early and far-reaching.

The course taken by the Ministc was unfair to the Territories, and t the newspapers. As the statemei appeared in only one newspapei many Territorians, even yet, do nc know of the plans that have bee made for providing land for development. The newspapers hav been asked to publish many con paratively unimportant Ministers statements; yet this particular ar nouncement, of unusual interest, i limited to one newspaper.