NEW GUINEA

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9853, 5 November 1924, Page 5

NEW GUINEA

POSITION UNDER AUSTRALIAN MANDATE.

SIR JOSEPH COOK ENLIGHTENS COMMISSION.

United Press Association—Copyright. (Received Nov. 4. 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, Nov. 3. Tiie Mandate Commission considered a section of the New Guinea report. Sir Joseph Cook and Air l-’ulirninn appeared before the Commission for examination.

Sir Joseph Cook, replying to the chairman’s questions said there were no military fortresses, military or naval bases, or any native military organisations. There were no police forces charged with the defence of the territory, only a police force for the maintenance of internai order. The natives were guaranteed freedom of conscience, and subject to previsions and ordinances for the maintenance of public order and morals, there was free exercise of all forms of worship. Sir Joseph Cook added there was no sin very.

The financial position will ho discussed to-morrow, as also probably will Nauru.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

GERMAN-BORN Ml SSI ON A] H ES. PLEA FEE EFCdSSIOX OF ORDER

ROCKHAMPTON. Oct. 21 At the Anglican Provincial Synod, the Bishop of New Guinea moved : ‘'That tliis synod of the Province of Queensland, desires to urge on the Commonwealth authorities, the rescinding of the order that nil Germanborn missionaries in the Mandated Territory shall he deported therefrom by July ], 1923: that Synod believes that the deporting of Germ,unborn missionaries, who have not been guilty pi disloyalty, would be highly detrimontr.i to the mission work in the Mandated Territory, and that the Metropolitan be asked to communicate thic resolution to the Prime Alinister.*’

Bishop Newton said that at a meeting of missionaries in New Guinea. practically the same resolution lin'd been carried. In giving the missionaries 10 years to put their house in order, as it- wore, the Commonwealth Government thought that it was treating then;, very generously. Tiie decision had been arrived at when their feelings had been a great deal stirred. Now. after a lapse of years, they had time to take a wider find more Christian view of their relationship. The motion meant not the help-

ing only of miss.onnries connected with the Anglican Church, but with other denominations as well. .There was much talk of the Christian Union. Here was an excellent opportunity of putting it into effect. The motion was carried ur.an.mouslv.