In contrast to the Villager

The first full-scale commercial newspaper to appear in the New Guinea area was the monthly The Papuan Time and Tropical Adver tiser, which was first published in Port Moresby on January 28, 1911, priced at sixpence a copy. The pub lisher, E. G. Baker, acting for Messrs Baldwin and Baker of Port Moresby, was to become Govern ment Printer in Port Moresby, in 1911. The paper obviously relied heavily upon the financial support of its advertisers.

The very first editorial published made quite clear whose interests the paper sought to promote: “It is a recognised fact that the white population of the Territory has increased so much of late as to warrant the establishment of an organ which will give voice to the opinions of the inhabitants, and we have taken upon ourselves the res ponsibilities of expressing public thought”.

On January 1, 1913, the paper was re-styled The Papuan Times, a masthead it retained until its demise on January 31, 1917 as a result of its indebtedness following a libel claim. The title Papuan Times was later revived by the Kwato Exten sion Association, which in 1948 had a weekly roneoed news-sheet with a circulation of 1,000.

The Papuan Times continued to rely heavily upon its advertising revenue: “Old Samarai Hotel possesses

every comfort for travellers and boarders. Excellent beers, wines and spirits stocked. Mrs Wisdell, pro prietress”.

“Braham and Pope. Traders and Licensed Recruiters. Agents for the B.N.G.D. Coy Ltd Motu-Motu”.

The Papuan Times obviously at no time saw itself as other than a newspaper catering for the needs of the local European population, and it reflected the thinking of the busi ness, mining and plantation interests.

The editorial of March 6, 1912 said: “The native must be justly treated, but not molly-coddled, wet-nursed and given an idea that he is as good, if not better, than his white master.

God help the white man once his prestige becomes a thing of the past”.

The editorial comments always made quite clear where the political interests of “The Papuan Times” lay: “Why do capitalists fight shy of investing their money in Papua? Be cause investors do not know what extraordinary legislation may eventu ate in this country, and are fright ened of the labor question. Assure them of sufficient labor, of the right class, and money will again pour into the place”.

The paper constantly bemoaned the fact that, in its opinion at least, the interests of the European and colonists were largely ignored by the Australian Authorities in Port Moresby and Canberra.