Generous Payments to NG
p. 131 · Read in the full issue
Natives
Letter to the Editor Ihave lived in this Territory for some years, and partaken of much of the sweat and toil of rehabilitation. I am not a Govern ment employee.
I am amazed that, while Aus tralian citizens are paying such huge taxes, their Government still is paying out so much in War Damage Compensation to Ne'w Guinea natives. I have personally seen what a native places in his claim and I consider it a gross insult to taxpayer and returned soldier to expect them to reimburse these lazy people for what really amounted to the protection of their own rights.
Only recently I was informed of an impending pay-out of War Damage claims to the natives, amounting to £20,000, on a small island. I went to witness the deed.
It amazed me and I thought of how long it took my mother —who had raised six “soldier sons”—be fore she could get any allowance, let alone war damage. It was .shovelled out to these natives and they will dissipate it among the “Vulture Enterprises” of this locality. I admit we want the goodwill of the TNG population, but not at such expense to our Aus tralian pioneers.
I am, etc.,
Rabaul.
R.C.