Mr. D. M. Cleland

Is Sworn In

Peculiar Circumstances of

The Announcement

r!E announcement that Brigadier Donald Mackinnon Cleland, CBE, had been appointed Administrator of Papua-New Guinea was made about February 18; and he was formally sworn in by the Acting Chief Judge, Judge Gore, in Port Moresby, on February 23.

These were pure formalities. Mr.

Cleland had been Assistant Admin istrator since 1951; Acting Admin istrator since April-May, 1952, and his appointment to the chief posi tion had been agreed to by the Aus tralian Government in December.

Why the appointment was not sooner announced, and why the an nouncement was made so quietly and timidly, are questions wrapped in the mysteries of Canberra politics.

The Australian Minister for Ter ritories, every few days, provides the Australian newspapers with “hand-outs” dealing with major matters of administration. They are entitled “Statement by the Minister for Territories.” But there has been no “hand-out” covering the appoint ment of Mr. Cleland, and not one word reporting the appointment has appeared in any Australian metropolitan newspaper that we have seen.

There was a bare announcement of the appointment in the ABC radio news session on February 17 or 18, and a formal announcement in Port Moresby the same week; but, beyond that, nothing.

Mr. Cleland is 51. He qualified as a barrister in Perth, WA, in 1925; served during World War II in New Guinea and elsewhere, and reached the rank of Brigadier; gave dis tinguished service on the adminis trative side in Papua-New Guinea under the military occupation, and as a member of the Production Control Board, and was awarded the CBE; and from 1945 until 1951 he was in charge of the Australian Liberal Party Secretariat, and probably was mainly responsible for the only remarkable political suc cesses enjoyed by that organisation for a very long time.

Mr. Cleland’s appointment as Assistant Administrator in 1951 was attacked by the Labour Party, who called it a political job. Actually— as he has proved since 1951—Mr Cleland has outstanding qualifica tions for the post, backed by per sonal knowledge of the Territories and their problems, gained in 1943-45.

The Southwest Pacific Territories now have three men of proved ability in the top jobs—Sir Ronald

Garvey, as Governor of Fiji; Mr.

Cleland, as Administrator of Papua- New Guinea; and Mr. C. B. S.

Stanley, High Commissioner for th Western Pacific. (See Next Pagel

Photograph (b Papuan Prints)[?] scene at swearing-i of Administrator (M) D. M. Cleland), [?] Port Moresby o February 23. Th four figures in fron left to right, an

The Administrator

Acting Chief Judg Gore; the Clerk [?] Court (reading); an Judge Kelly. Behin them are Mr Cleland, Mrs. Gor The Rev. Mr. Randal Father Either, an Mr. Chatterton, c

Lms.

Simple Ceremony in Port

Moresby

FE swearing in of the new Ad ministrator, Mr. D. M. Cleland, in Port Moresby on February 13, was a quiet and dignified jeremony. The oath of office was idministered by the Acting Chief Judge, Mr, Justice Gore; and •epresentatives of all the com nunities were present.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Vlr. Cleland formally inspected a Captain’s Guard of the Royal P-NG Constabulary.

In a brief address the Administrator iaid that he would not deal with my serious matters of policy—his ■emarks were mainly personal. The allowing are extracts:— “During my 21 years here in the far period I had some opportunity of issessing the potential of the rerritory, and the immense task vhich confronts the Administration n developing that potential, and in wringing to dependent peoples an mlightened and balanced policy of advancement and betterment.

“Closer contact during the last 8 months, and under peace-time onditions, has only served to em ihasise the magnitude of the task /hich lies ahead, its complexities, nd the challenge which it repre ents.

“I just want to say, in the

presence of you all, that I accept the leadership in that task, as your Administrator, with pride, with courage and with humility; and in the knowledge that, whatever lies ahead, I have always at my side a very valuable partner and help mate in my wife. Together, we

shall work for the Territory and all its people, seeking to serve and to help, wherever we can and however we can, to the best of our ability . . .

“There is very good evidence of an increasing efficiency, a growing tempo of accomplishment and a

shall work for the Territory and all its people, seeking to serve and to help, wherever we can and however we can, to the best of our ability . . .

“There is very good evidence of an increasing efficiency, a growing tempo of accomplishment and a

desire to achieve in all aspects ol Administration and community lif< generally.

“I am indeed indebted for thi advice and support which I hav< received from all members of tin Administration both here at Head quarters and in the field during th< last 18 months, and also from th( community generally throughou the Territory, “It is, too, a very pleasing am happy thought to know that manj of those who served with me during the military administration ar< now occupying responsible position! throughout the Territory. Thai bond of service is something whicl I value and cherish.”

Picturesque Character

Probably the most interesting native personality at the swearing in of the new Administrator waj Kabua, the veteran Supreme Coun interpreter who has been an Ad ministration interpreter for 4f years. Kabua is still hale am hearty, still at his interpreter’s posl in the Supreme Court, and alreadj his son Kora has put in 15 years in the same calling as his father.

A small but very smart detach ment of Pacific Islands Regimenl troops was also present; am opposite them a file of Royal Papuan and New Guinea Con stabulary police, all with impressive displays of war service medals.