P-Ng Union “Not So Good”
p. 41 · Read in the full issue
i “The administrative linking of our own Territory of Papua with the Trusteeship Territory of New Guinea seemed to be a good idea; but I fear it is working out in unpredictable fashion,” said Mr. R.
C. Wheeler, in the Commonwealth Parliament.
“Governing New Guinea under a Trusteeship is like trying to rear a strange and difficult child under the personal supervision of 80 interfering mothers-in-law.”
Mr. E. A. James, quoting Mr.
Wheeler in his weekly commentary in the Port Moresby newspaper, suggests that, if there is some doubt
I about the legal soundness of the administrative union of the two Territories (now being tested before the High Court), this could be a suitable time to re-appraise the whole situation.
New Guinea has to put up with a great deal of unnecessary inter ference from international bodies; and, owing to the union, Papua is in such matters dragged at the tail of New Guinea.
Economically, Papua cannot very well be administered separately.
But if Papua’s economy were vitalised by a discovery of oil, the outlook would change, overnight.