But Exodus Worries Somare,

Who Offers Guarantees

From an AAP correspondent in Port Moresby

A campaign to convince white public servants to remain in Papua New Guinea after self-government was launched by the government on July 9.

Chief Minister Micheal Somare said letters would be sent to key expatriate personnel asking them to commit themselves to continued employment in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Somare said the selected public servants would be guaran teed up to three and a half years employment, a continuation of Australian standard education for their children and first-class medi cal services.

“I hope these letters will resolve the uncertainties which are worry ing some expatriate officers at this time,” Mr Somare said. “My government has moved as quickly as it could to resolve the inevitable uncertainties which must occur in a time of rapid change. An un happy workman cannot give of his best—and Papua New Guinea needs the best from its public

servants now”, The action reflects the govern ment’s concern over the continu ing white exodus from Papua New Guinea as shown by official statis

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The latest figures available from the Government Statistician’s of fice revealed that the white popu lation in March this year was ‘ han £ ° r P The government knew that many expatriate public servants would be needed for many years to come, Mr Somare said. They had made major contributions to Papua New Guinea.!, the past and they would do so n t e f t Mr Somare said his government and the Australian Government realised that to keep skilled and experienced officers in Papua New Guinea, acceptable conditions would have to be offered, The Manpower Planning Commit tee would look into these require ments.