A Strange Figure

Sepik cargo cult leader Matias Yaliwan, who represents the Sepik electorate of Yangoru-Saussia, was a strange, somewhat lonely figure in the new House. He had announced that, during the opening speech of the Australian Governor-General, Sir Paul Hasluck, he would declare him self to be the true leader of all Papua New Guinea.

As a result, some of his fellow members and discreetly-placed officials kept a wary eye on him during the official ceremony. But Yaliwan had nothing to say. He an nounced afterwards that he would make his declaration another day.