Has Begun

Dutch Exodus From NNG Has Begun

From a Hollandia Correspondent Because they see the writing on the wall—or think that they do —approximately 800 (or 5 per cent.) of the Dutch popu lation of Netherlands New Guinea have left the Territory since mid-1960.

THIS exodus far exceeds anything similar in the neighbouring Aus tralian New Guinea Territory, although there, too, there has been an accelerated move towards getting out since the idea of self-govern ment first began to be bandied about in the middle of last year.

In NNG the departure of Dutch citizens has created some awkward problems of staffing in both Govern ment and private business.

At the moment the appeal of self government far out-strips the natives’ ability to cope with the mechanics of it. The Dutch have instituted crash training and education plans but the results have so far been just a drop in the bucket of present and future requirements.

Mostly Euronesians

The Dutch citizens who have de parted have mostly been “local Dutch”—that is, Euronesians. Hav ing experienced “independence” once—in 1949, when Indonesia took over the former Dutch East Indies— they are probably more sensitive than most to the chill winds of change, and want to go while the going is still good.

Some of these people came to NNG hoping to establish a new home for Euronesians, but political events of the past year leave no room to doubt that when the natives get in dependence, there won’t be any room for anything of that sort.

Rather than be the outer fringe of the sort of society this is likely to be, they have elected to go to Holland—an environment where many will be as fish out of water, but in which their children will at least be able to make something of their European heritage.

The Netherlands Government has helped in the repatriation of local Dutch; and two further contingents are expected to leave NNG in Sep tember and December this year. In addition, many other Dutch families have left privately.