Canberra's Fumbling

Policies in New Guinea

HE previous character of the Australian hold on the Trust Territory of New Guinea is sctively shown by implication in new brochure, “Economical De jpment of New Guinea,” recently tten by Mr. Theo Thomas, a well iwn planter of Kokopo, New tain. tost thinkers have developed the sis that if Australia does not :e effective use of the enormous •urces of New Guinea, for the efit of Australians and New nea natives, then Australia can expect to hold New Guinea in nitely against the rather terrify demand that is developing in ■crowded Asia for new territories, Mr. Thomas’s plain facts and iments support this. It is ack ledged that the present Aus an Government has accepted viewpoint: but, as Mr. Thomas ts out, the development so ntly needed cannot proceed jr the vague and fumbling ;ies which have been outlined Canberra, through the predom tly political set-up. Mr. Thumas that the existing drawbacks to lopment in New Guinea are: Lack of political stability in matters of future policy.

Shortage of land available for development of primary pro ducts other than by natives.

Instability of native labour con ditions.

Unavailability of adequate credit facilities for large-scale development.

Unfavourable publicity.

. Thomas is very emphatic on lack of a developmental land 7. He could have gone on and ed out that, with Indonesia, eo, Phillipines, etc., as ex es, New Guinea (Dutch and •alian) is capable of support native population of from 50 0 millions, instead of the per -2 or 21 millions there now. It >e taken as certain that, if New is to be strictly reserved for es, as so many starry-eyed ers now insist, Asia will not )ut of the picture for the 50 or ears necessary to increase 21 n natives to even 50 millions.

Thomas does not say so—but leer logic of the facts he pre shows that unless Australia, realistic and vigorous policy, >ps New Guinea’s resources □mehow or other increases the ition of New Guinea (even if E|re necessary to introduce ly people from more crowded the Asiatics will come in and control.

Thomas points to the “in ty of native labour,” but does Ter any solution to this most tant problem.

ALL persons interested in the future of New Guinea and more especially those who now are baffled by the contradictions in Australia’s policy there should obtain a copy of Mr. Thomas’s booklet. It clarifies most of the Ter ritory’s curious problems, and brings them into focus. Here are the last half-dozen paragraphs in the com pilation : “Producers should be closely as sociated with the Government in all stages of research and development.

“In most other tropical countries including Indonesia, Ceylon and Malaya, there are research institutes established and maintained by pro ducers alone, or in association with the Government. Policy may be largely controlled by the Govern ment, but the producers’ views re ceive adequate consideration. These institutes are apart from the vari ous producers’ associations which deal with their own policies and problems.

“The copra industry is not re ceiving the attention of research which it warrants. Greater research

aimed at the improvement of pro duction through higher yielding RS?“iH Pe M C 2 ntrol l and mechanisa? tion, should be undertaken ‘Action is being taken' to en courage the planting of rubber trees of a higher yielding specie': than the bulk already developed, but all phases of production, from the planting of seed to the production of raw rubber in its exportable state, should be dealt with bv re search for more economical produc tion of this produce.

“Means should be devised to cope with the shortage of efficient planta tion overseers by proper method of selection of local returned soldiers' and immigrants could provide the basic material for this, if the selec tion and training scheme was adequately supported by the De partment of Territories.

‘77Fjf Juence Of Religious

Missions On Government

Policy And Territory

Economy.

considered that missions within the Territory exert too great an influence on Government policy

and the country’s economy. This results in clashes of interests, with a consequent damaging effect on native outlook.

“The spread of Christianity, and the establishment of a high moral code in the minds of all inhabitants, are most worthy aims; but when denominational sections endeavour to exert political influence on a low or high plane to ensure the adher ence of their followers, or to assist in the strengthening of their par ticular creed, the ultimate result is not in the best interests of the country.

“The only safe course for missions to follow when evangelising a com munity whose primitive supersti tions and beliefs can be hoped to be eradicated only after many gen erations, is by confining themselves to their main objective. Any devia tion builds up mistrust in the in digenes, with consequent regression in development.”