[?]anberra

[?]Ommentary

n our Canberra Correspondent >ua-New Guinea intruded the Federal election cam much more than might

been expected for a subject

could have only a limited t on voting.

H major parties raised the sub ct in their policy speeches and I it again in campaigning.

Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, d most of his mid-campaign ast on foreign affairs to one of earest re-statements of Aus policy on Indonesia and West Guinea he has made since he iver the External Affairs port deprecated talk of war over New Guinea. want peace and friendship,” d. “There is no occasion for y. ing as we do so close to the island of New Guinea, we re he interests of its people and peaceful progress as the para consideration. We hope that icerned will see it in this light.”

Menzies’ broadcast was a clear • to Indonesia’s claim in the

Not Exploiting

long as Indonesia declined to ige Netherlands sovereignty in iternational Court—by whose ent we would abide—Australia adhere to our support of the )le of self-determination, he stralia is a democracy, and ire deeply attached to the )le of self-government,” he said, from being ‘colonial exploiters’ at into P-NG—in hard cash, work and devoted service by hundreds of Australians—far than we ever hope to get out r one great ambition is that, the day comes for these terri to determine their own destiny, )eople will look on us as friends lave been faithful and just to this is how we feel and act, hould we deny the same policies : Netherlands?” his policy speech, Mr. Menzies

was content to rest on the Govern ment’s record in P-NG.

Not so the Leader of the Op position, Mr. Calwell.

He demanded radical changes in an effort to prepare P-NG for self government in the shortest time.

His most far-reaching statement was that the cost was beyond Aus tralia and could be met only with UN support.

This statement brought the Govern ment reaction that to do so would give Communist nations in UN a say in the administration of the Territory.

Said the Deputy Prime Minister and Country Party Leader, Mr. Mc- Ewen: “UN supervision would mean that Communist countries would be given a continuing, direct and official status in the administration . . .

“Mr. Calwell can find £3OO million a year to curry favour in Australia, but to save Australia £5 million or £lO million a year in P-NG he would allow Communists in the UN to get a supervising position in P-NG.

“We all know that the Communists never pass an opportunity to make mischief and cause disruption, par ticularly in emerging countries.”

Mr. Calwell also was critical of some other aspects of the Govern ment’s stewardship in the Territory.

He attacked the Government for introducing “in the dying hours of the Twenty-third Parliament” pro posals to abandon “the whole system of courts of justice built up over the past 70 years by many able and dedicated Administration officials”.

Labour held itself free to review this action, he said.

It wanted to extend Courts of Native Matters to include native magistrates.

And it wanted District Courts to include civilian European, Chinese and native justices as well as the present official European judges.

In this way, responsibility for main taining law and order would be ex tended to men for whom the whole community would have respect.

Another matter which Mr. Calwell said needed immediate attention was a common roll for the electorate.

TEAL’s annual report released in Wellington in October reveals that for the first time passenger traffic has passed an annual rate of 100,000 passengers. Profit before taxation was £155,000, and operating costs were reduced. Civil Aviation Minister Mr. McAlpine, said a firm decision would have to be taken soon on replacements for the Electras, which would go out of service in 1964 with the opening of Mangere jet airport.