Looking at PNG's future

PNG's future

Eight Australian academics have each contributed a chapter to Aus tralia’s New Guinea Question which is under the aegis of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

Papua New Guinea’s internal and external politics, economic situation, and defence, and relevant aspects of Australia’s relationship with Papua Mew Guinea, are considered, with some backward glances and quite a : ew prognostications.

Although some of the material has already been made public and the :ontributions were written two or hree years ago, this book deserves attention because, unlike many others, t looks at Papua New Guinea from

he Australian interest-viewpoint.

Comparing Australian colonialism vith the British and French models, )r Healy gives it poor marks and ees some parallels with the Belgians’ fforts. Anyone agreeing with him nust be apprehensive about Papua Jew Guinea’s immediate future. 4any readers will, however, argue hat Port Moresby and Canberra are eographically much closer than .eopoldville and Brussels, and that heir historical nexus is quite Aff erent, too.

Writing about Papua New Guinea’s xternal politics in a regional con :xt, Peter Hastings makes the point lat the relations between Indonesia ad Australia are, and will continue ) be, the major factor. This is also ic crux of the scenario for Dr lediansky’s chapter on defence, hilst Professor Harries includes SSR interests in the Indian Ocean ad the US presence in South-east sia in a provoking chapter with ie same title as the book. It is in resting that none of the contribu rs has considered the possibility of ihtary resurgence in Japan.

Fisk and Tait put the question at will soon be asked by Australian xpayers or, at least, by their parlia entary representatives: “What’s in for Australia?” The shibboleths in efence of Australia’s largesse, eg enty of aid will ‘improve’ Papua ew Guinea; make a reliable, sturdy ihtary ally; create a flourishing

democracy, are now being challenged.

By 1973-74, Australian post-war de velopment assistance had amounted to $2,651 million, almost $1,705 million, or 64.3 per cent, of it to Papua New Guinea. This year’s assistance will run to $337 million, or 0.59 per cent of Australia’s gross national product, with Papua New Guinea again receiving the lion’s share.

Fisk and Tail suggest that con tinuing aid to Papua New Guinea at the present level may be contrary to the best interests of both countries.

It would further encourage the pro tracted and painful struggle towards an economy based on private motor car, jumbo jet and bulldozer when a society and economy based bicycle, bus and shovel would not only be much easier to attain but, above all, give Papua New Guineans self sufficiency and meaningful participa tion—two of the eight aims of their government’s Improvement Plan.

Dr Hudson stresses that member ship of the UN will be of value in such matters as technical and educa tional assistance, eg FAO, UNESCO, but that a mini-state cannot expect to cut a wide swathe in the General Assembly.

His main point (and most Aus tralians will agree with him) is that Australia needs to show great sensi tivity in direct as well as indirect, eg through the UN, dealings with its nearest neighbour.

In all, this is a worthwhile book which helps to understand a highly volatile situation. —Harry Jackman.

(Australia’S New Guinea Ques

TION- Edited b y w - J- Hudson. Published by Thomas Nelson (Australia) Ltd. Mel bourne, $9.95.)