Dr. Gunther would
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
be appalled too!
The month’s oddest angle on \ Papua-New Guinea’s new head tax, which takes effect in\ January, came from Senatorl Justin O’Byrne, speaking in the Australian Senate. Said the Senator: “I join issue with Dr.
Gunther, a man whom I ad mire and respect very much indeed, who has been one of the pioneers for Papua and New Guinea. He tried to justify the imposition of the poll tax of £2 a head by saying it was an excellent way for census officers to make close contact with the natives when going through the villages.
“He said that at present these officers just counted heads, but if they had the task of collecting £2 a head, the natives would argue and object, and in that way the patrol officers who were mak ing the census ivould make closer contact with them.' “I think that was an appal ling thing for Dr. Gunther to say.”