Party

[?]NG Now Has A Political Party

Prom a NG Correspondent > announcement in Port jby in October that the first cal party in Papua-New Guinea 'oeing formed, marks the birth . idea which has been in the of Mr. Don Barrett, MLC, any years. private conversations Mr. arrett has made no secret of le fact that he favoured a pro ve, multi-racial party for P when the time is opportune”.

I now 1960 has been considered tune, and the United Progress of Papua-New Guinea is to irmed at a series of rallies ?hout the Territory.

Barrett, who is a planter from *ap, near Rabaul, is one of iree founders of the new party. »ther two are Mr. R. F. Bunt member of a pioneering P-NG r\ and Simogun Peta, a New >a native who has given out ng service to the Territory in nd peace. three are members of the i a-New Guinea Legislative :il, but Mr. Barrett is the only i member. The other two are ers of long standing appointed 3 Administrator,

"May Stand"

allying themselves with a al organisation, Mr. Bunting imogun have conceivably ended chances of returning to the il as appointed members. The vay in which it would appear could get back would be to for election and win the poll. ; opinion is dictated by the hat the Administrator is un to draw his nominated ership of the Council from ers of a self-confessed political no matter how laudable might ; aims of the party. 10-point policy adopted by nited Progress Party is: o racial discrimination, riendship between Papua-New uinea and Australia, efence and internal security •r Papua-New Guinea, n overall plan for develop ed of the Territory, scurity of investment and en mragement of development, niversal primary education, id adequate secondary educa on, dequate social service benefits icluding infant welfare, romotion of understanding be

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reen all people of the Terri ry. jual opportunities for employ ent for all, according to )ility. a equitable taxation system. ;rs. Barrett, Bunting and an discussed the idea of the with about 30 or 40 native ers to the October session of sgco. They pointed out that 3 would be in it as equals, and arty would help consolidate and white, who could speak * voice to people outside the )ry. There would be no strict line”. observers were enthusiastic the idea. ! likely that the party, if it nough public support in the few months, will support a and a European candidate for )f the six electorates in the -egco.

Bunting said in Sydney in iber that should he feel he i to stand for election next ae would “not stand against Mr. Hurrell or Mr. Downs, 7 decide to stand”.