Opinion

This is how editorial writers in the iustralian Press viewed the indo lesian situation in December: rHE Hobart Mercury : Likely re sults of the disorder in Java are increased hardship for the icople, and the emergence of the Communist Party in a stronger role. ?his inevitably will widen the gulf ctween the central Government in ava and the anti-Commumst and emi-autonomous provinces in the uter islands. A civil war is quite ussible.

It seems a queer procedure for ny Government deliberately to dis upt its own economy and accept he risk of disintegration of its own erritories. The campaign for West lew Guinea could eventually result i the collapse of Indonesia itself.

Jut this kind of policy is character 3tic of the immaturity which has lade such a mess of the East ndies. rHE Brisbane Courier Mail: The Indonesian Republic could be plunged into chaos if energies .eeded to establish a rule of law, ecurity, and justice for all Indo icsia’s people are wasted in clamour

and agitation for more territory to govern and more people to rule.

THE Melbourne Age: America’s neutrality on Indonesia’s claim to Dutch New Guinea can, un fortunately, be construed as support.

America is so closely tied with Australia and Holland in Western alliances that her refusal to back their argument over West New Guinea will naturally be assumed by the world to represent some sympathy with the Indonesian view point.

THE Perth West Australian: By wreaking spite on the Dutch, Soekarno’s Government is not only fouling its own economic nest but is deterring other outside capital and commercial assistance.

It is simultaneously encouraging the growth of internal Communist strength which is already causing so much external distrust.

The Australian position is clear.

Our only point of difference with Indonesia is the Commonwealth Government’s recognition and rightful support of Dutch sovereignty over West New Guinea.

There is nothing else in the way of friendly and co-operative relations with our nearest Asian neighbour. 11HE Sydney Morning Herald : It . is the Communists, and the Communists alone, who stand

to profit from current Indonesian irresponsibility. . . The most sensible

thing for Indonesia to do would be, as Mr. Casey urged, to reconsider the ill-judged and self-damaging measures which are being taken against Dutch commercial interests. npHE Sydney Financial Review. It 1. is a pity we have a few Dane geld advocates in Australia, who question our support for the Dutch stand. Last week-end, some of them said, “Should our resistance to Indonesian demands for control of West New Guinea be carried to the extent of creating ill-feeling with the Asian countries?” What an at titude! Does your resistance to a thug create ill-feeling among his cronies?

THE Brisbane Truth : It would undoubtedly be a good thing for Australia if certain parties in Indonesia were trying to get the Communists under control; but Australia will not be able to feel at ease until it is made abundantly clear that all predatory ideas about Dutch New Guinea have been abandoned.

Australia would have reason to feel happier, too, if the Indonesian Government went back to its original pledge, to permit all parts of Indonesia to determine their own This would mean, for one thing, that the unhappy people of

the South Moluccas—at present blockaded and oppressed—would be permitted to pursue their own in dependent existence.

What hypocrisy it is for Indo nesia to talk glibly about self determination and independence and liberation when it keeps one of its own territories in subjection and

terror.

What nonsense it is for Indo nesian politicians to prate aboul imperialism and colonialism when they want to take forcibly West New Guinea, a territory to which they have neither moral nor ethical lights, without consulting the in habitants.