So Futile, They

P-NG Legislative Council

Might As Well

Stay At Home'

My outstanding impression of the September session of the Legislative Council of Papua and New Guinea I (I had not seen it at work for some ; years) is the futility of the whole thing—especially the indifference of the solid, impassive wall of official dom to the arguments and pleadings of the non-official members.

IN addition to the three natives, there are six non-official Euro peans—three nominated and three elected. In all matters affecting the Territory, the nominated men seem much closer to the elected men than to high officialdom, although the I latter is responsible for their i presence there.

Again and again, the non-officials r submitted, with moderation, cogency and reason, various points of view I which were alternatives to official [proposals; but I did not see one r indication that official plans would be re-drawn in favour of any of

I them.

The shortest and sharpest pro !■ tests against officialdom’s bulldozing tactics came from Mr, E. A. James, when important Bills were laid on members’ desks a few minutes be- I fore the machinery for their passing 'was brought into operation.

“I have appealed, again and again, for some consideration in [regard to these things,” he said.

“How can we be expected to make any intelligent comment on these proposals when we have no chance to study the measures, and their probable effect?”

"Ruthless"

But the machine rolled on, quite ruthlessly. Departmental heads moved for the adoption of the various measures; members com mented, and protested, and recom mended amendments; their contri butions to debate were either ignored or very briefly referred to by the official heads; and the Bills went through. ■ Everyone knew, of course, that the Bills had been finally put together, after the Port Moresby chiefs had had their say, by the czars of Canberra; and they could not be amended in any significant way without Canberra’s permission.

At the end of three days, (Tues day, Wednesday, Thursday) the non-official members were thoroughly sick of it—and they did not hide their feelings. The Council continued its session on Friday, Saturday and Monday; but by Friday afternoon most of the

New Guinea non-official members had left for home. And who could blame them?

Here is an extract from a speech made by Minister Paul Hasluck at the inauguration of the Legislative Council in Port Moresby on November 26, 1951: The inauguration of this Council affords an opportunity, which has hitherto been lacking, for the clear and responsible ex pression of opinion by various sections of the Territory community . . , Exchange of knowledge and ideas in this Council should produce better legisla tion.

The future development of this Council lies in the hands of the people of the Territory.

Like most of this Minister’s

speeches, the theory is beautiful; but its practical application has been killed by the dictator’s inability to see any viewpoint other than his own.

There are some very sound men in that Legco—both official and unofficial. For all the help they are in administration, however, they might as well stay at home.—

Rwr.

The south eastern part of Viti Levu, Fiji, has had its driest June- September period on record. The total rainfall was only 8.08 inches at Suva and 7.68 inches at Laucala Bay.