Territories Talk-Talk
pp. 30-31 · Read in the full issue
By Tolala
Give Them a Label
NOT so long ago a name was sought for the New Guinea natives as a whole. Nothing official was announced, but I notice the Press invariably refers to “New Guineans” as distinct from Papuans.
Now comes an appeal, through the columns of The Rabaul Times, for a name designating the People of Mixed Races so that “they may take their place properly in the
development of the community. . . .
The name doesn’t have to mean anything in particular”.
The Mixed Races play an important part in TNG; far more so than on the Papuan side, for there are mixtures of Chinese, Ambonese, Micronesians, Filipinos, natives and Europeans.
The offspring of European and Asian races naturally falls within the “Eurasian” category, but would not be applicable to other mixtures.
A word which suggests itself as a possible basis to work on is “Miscegenation”—mixture of races.
So what about “Miselesians”, “Misigenians”, or some such derivative? If my memory serves me right “Micheling” is German for “mixed race”.
At least let us hope the name chosen will not be selected by some unimaginative Bureaucrat at Canberra. /About 25 years ago, the “Pacific Islands Monthly ” coined a word for port-E ut op ea n-part-Polynesian people. It was “Euronesian”. It is still used. However, we should have thought that in these days of acute colour-consciousness, labels of any sort would be resented and that they all would want to be known simply as people. — Ed.)
The “Indians”
of New Guinea!
There is much talk about educat ing the New Guinea people. I would like to suggest that the Aus
tralian people receive a modicumj education concerning P-NG and t islands to the Near North.
Following the announceme. about granting of Australian citize ship to Asians in NG, thi appeared in a Sydney paper effusion from a Bondi worm •‘viewing with dismay and alar: the decision just made to all!
Indians in NG to become Austral! citizens.
Says she: “Having just return from living in East Africa, whj Indians have swarmed a i multiplied like cockroaches—livi' dozens to a room in filth as squalor—l had the comfort! thought that at least in Austra that could never happen. How dread the day which now will co:< when we will see Pitt Street as promenade for the daily stroll these sari-clad people and find o pavements red and spotted w\ betel-nut!”
Saris and betel-nut! What T hell? The lady must be getti; Suva confused with Rabaul. might surprise the lady to lea that Asian women in TNG appei in latest model frocks, w\ impeccable manners and hs charming personalities. For the mr part, anyway.
The Elusive Dwt.
I see that BGD’s output for 1!. was just under 52,000 fine ounce It reminds me of the time in t late thirties when that comparr annual output was around 160,(, oz mark and during debates in t local Legco, when the Ws Salamaua Road was under disci; sion, old Tory planters of N/ Britain and New Ireland stouu affirmed that the age of the goc fields was limited to a mere 15 < 20 years.
Morobe mining interests laugh at the suggestion. But it wok seem that the old Tories were ab« right; nobody then dreamed of t rich timber resources of the Bull Valley (with the possible exceptid of Forestry Expert Lane-Poole, w pin-pointed the potentialities in t ’2o’s).
The gold era is passing. So mu. so that the Administration cutting royalties from 5 to II I cent., and BGD has now only o dredge working, compared with pre-war eight. Increased natt labour costs and other HCL msj the ’weight more elusive than ev: Sauce For the Goose When the unofficial commura of F-NG is collectively accused I the various sins which tradition K laid on the doorstep (exploitatii: cruelty and sexual interference wv native women) little has been sie in its defence —save when t matter reaches a court-house.
Now, however, comes a cry
The Largest Kangaroo In New Guinea:
It was made by Mr. Cecil Gasper of Qantas, Lae, to decorate the RSL club ballroom for Lae's ball-of-the-year. Lady Slim, wife of the Australian Governor-General, attended this year's Qantas function which was held on August 2.
high heaven from some of the Public Servants (according to a report in the SPP of 17/7/57) concerning a circular letter from the Director of Civil Affairs, addressed to officers personally, telling them that sexual relations with native women were tambu. ; The personal touch is what ; appears to have got under their skins. A pity the circular was not addressed; To Whom It May Concern, and then it would have been a case of wearing the cap if it fitted.
The gentle art of disciplining Europeans in a native country is always a ticklish job, and naturally officials —accustomed to dealing it out—take a dim view when they are on the receiving end.