GERMAN ADMINISTRATION.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2268, 30 September 1914, Page 6

GERMAN ADMINISTRATION.

RELATIONS WITH ISLAND .. '". NATIVES-. '•• ■

Only a few years ago the Caroline and Marshall Islands were under separate Government to German New Guinea, but, after the Marshall Island incident, in which the Jaluit Company and,an Australian'shipping company figured, strongly, these , two groups of islands were brought under the control of the Government';of German New.'Guinea, under the name. of ( tlie De-ufsche Neu Guinea Protectorate, the: Administrator being Dr.' Albert Hahl, a.most capable and progressive man. It is Dr. Hahl .who is credited with the creation of the port of RabauT and the rapid organisation and development of the protectorate generally. Under him again there was n "Bezirksamtmami," a kind of chief magistrate, ■' stationed at the capital, whilst .'"in. the '■ groups'.of islands and in the various districts of the mainland of New Guinea there were minor officials or district magistrates, who were responsible for .the policing and administration of their various territories.

Subject to general regulations; these district magistrates. possessed almost unlimited control in their own districts and as far: as the native: population was concerned. On the whole, -these duties were efficiently and humanely carried out. The German military idea of "the mailed fist under the velvet glove" was '■• never departed from, but, in the ruling : of savage races, this is said to be not ■a bad idea, as, with these barbarians, it is necessary first to obtain absolute respect for .constituted' authority es a. condition-precedent to their control. These district magistrates usually had a : patrol vessel and a police-master, with a force .of very well trained native police: On occasions where, from ignorance, of the white man!s ppwer, tie natives defied control, the'lesson was short a'nd' sharp, but its very severity has, in the long run, been more humanethan if it had been of a less stringent nature, as the natives have • learned once and for all tJiat when an order has . been received it'has to be obeyed. . A. very wise regulation, for which credit is also due to Dr. Hahl, has pro-. vided for the .building and maintenance. by natives of. the various • districts of ; tiei coastal roads. The result-is that, in most of the islands, except for breaks, where "rivers and creeks empty into the ■ sea, or where there are lpnp; stretches of swampy beach lands, it is possible to walk or ride round the greater part of the islands;. On New Ireland sucn a road is reported extending for over. 100 miles, with, of course, the breaks mentioned.' The islands are pot yet in .. that state of development to justify the oxpense of bridging the rivers or draining'the swampy beach lands.