BACK TO NORMAL LIFE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 107, 30 January 1943, Page 5

BACK TO NORMAL LIFE

Natives In Papua <l‘,y 1 1- rrapli.- Press Assn. -Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent,) (lieceived January 27, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 29. The natives in northern Papua are moving out of jungle fastnesses and back to their villages. By bush telegraph or insticl, they know that the war in their little part of the world is over and that the Japanese are gone out of their country. "Timorous advance parties of natives have been repairing their dilapidated huts, ent ling the rank grass and clearing up a carpet of rotting coconut husks,” writes the Sydney "Sun's” war correspondent. E. C. N. Eolkard. "'The over' grown gardens are being put in order. 'Word has spread that the ‘Jap man' had gone and that the while taubadas (ntaslers) are back and the 'big fella gubminr' rules again." Natives who were formerly not friendly toward while, men now make overtures and present gifts as evidence of their goodwill. Their experience with the Japanese has been a salutiiry lesson.

in the Papuan territory which they had occupied the Japanese appointed a “captain” for each native village, and as the puppet king of the country they appointed one I’ounga. Ik- used his authority to raid ami despoil villages and quickly became the most feared native in Papua. Wlien tlie Japanese left, Pounga and a few supporters endeavoured to continue their banditry, but they were arrested by two while patrol officers serving with tin- Australian Army.

"I’ottngn's bandits were members of a rat ion-currying parly with which I trav--■lb-il," writes Mr. Folkard. “They have lii-eii arrested mi charges of murder, rape, looting, arson, ni.-iylum mid other i-riim-s of lesser importance. But, they seemed a mild enough lot."

Two patrolmen are now collecting souvenirs of llie Papuan campaign large medallions which were presented by the •lapanrse In those natives whom I bey appointed village captains.