Ng University

(from previous page) a magnificent laboratory, one of the best in the world, simply swarming with research topics.

While I therefore welcome the Minister’s announcement as a great advance I do confess to some con cern over its apparent vagueness on the financial side. It is not at all clear whether there is to be special financial provision or whether the university must just take a place in the departmental queue.

All that is said, virtually, is that the World Bank Mission did not in clude it in its budget projections.

Well, with the Currie Commission already working in the field at the time, the World Bank Mission may well have thought that wasn’t its job.

Nothing is said about the vital matter of relations with the Aus tralian Universities Commission; this is extremely important, since the New Guinea University should receive at least parity with those of Australia in fiscal matters; and it would be disastrous if it were not closely as sociated with Australian universities.

It must not be a poor relation, left out in the cold.

It will not be easy to set up a reasonably well-found and decently run state in New Guinea; it would be all too easy to let it slide into a messy anarchy on our very door step.

This university could be our greatest gift to New Guinea —and very much of an investment in our own interests. But everything depends on whether it is carried out resolutely and wholeheartedly.

It is certainly a very tough proposition; but, like most tough pro positions, it is also a great oppor tunity.