Resignation Of Governor

Of Dutch New Guinea

From Our Own Correspondent

Hollandia, Feb. 3.

THE Netherlands Government has accepted the resignation o] the Governor of Dutch Nev Guinea, Mr. S. L. J. van Waarden burg.

Mr. van Waardenburg has servec three years as Governor, the firsi to be appointed to Netherlands Nev Guinea after the handing-over ol the Netherlands Indies to th( United States of Indonesia on De cember 27, 1949.

He has had no easy task. When up to that date, Dutch New Guinea was administered only to a verj limited extent, there then had t( be established a new and extensive administration.

Although his administration has often been criticised in recenl

months, there is much on the credit side also. There was the establish-] ment of the three Advisory Councils for Dutch New Guinea, one to each division, in which native represent atives sat together with Dutch officials and advisors.

The Governor’s resignation takei effect from April 1. Till then the administration will be in the hands of the head of the Department for Civil Affairs, Mr. N. Makkes.

Mr. van Waardenburg, with his wife, left New Guinea for Holland on January 13. His daughter, Mrs.

M. van Genderen followed them on February 1. For his services in this 1 country Queen Juliana bestowed on him the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands.

A recent photograph of Governor van Waardenburg (right) with Sir Brian Freeston (Secretary-General of the South Pacific Commission) on the occasion of the latter’s visit to Hollandia.