Spotlight On

P-NG Ass't Administrator

'Steve' Lonergan

QUESTIONED in Port Moresby in mid-December, Brigadier D.

M. Cleland said it was possible than the name of the new Assistant Administrator of Papua and New Guinea would be announced from Canberra within a fortnight. But he would give no indication of the probable appointee.

The official and non-official communities of the Dual Territory will be surprised and disappointed, however, if the name is not that of Mr. S. A. Lonergan, well-known over many years as Government Secretary and Director of Civil Affairs.

Mr. Lonergan went on leave in November; but when it became clear, on medical grounds, that the Acting Assistant Administrator, Mr. R. Marsh, would not be returning permanently to the post, Mr. Lonergan returned to Port Moresby on December 12 and placed himself at the Administrator’s disposal.

Mr. Lonergan made it clear that he was not himself seeking the Assistant position; but he now is virtually Acting AA—and there seems to be complete unanimity among the Departmental heads that “Steve” really is the man for the job. The non-official people

heartily endorse that view; and thus there has been created a moral force that neither Mr.

Lonergan, nor the emblinkered gentlemen in Canberra, can with stand —even if they wish to.

Mr. Lonergan has had over 30 years’ experience in Territories service; he always has been regarded as a first-class officer.

His appointment might end Canberra’s stubborn refusal, over the years, to appoint experienced Territories’ officers to the Terri tories’ highest positions. Failure to appoint him, after the lessons of recent events, could have an unfortunate effect on the morale of the Territories’ public service.