AUSTRALIA’S MANDATE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIA’S MANDATE

SUCCESS IN NEW GUINEA

SYDNEY, Nov. S An interesting review of the Australian administration of the mandated -territory of New Guinea, and a denial of recent charges concerning the Governmental policy there, has keen supplied by the Administrator, General Wisdom, who is visiting Australia. “For the last two years,” he said.

“the administration had been engaged in forming an entirely new policy.” Flogging of natives on the plantations had been abolished, as well as the system of complsorv recruiting. A comprehensive set of land laws, under which land could lie hold either in leasehold or freehold, had been introduced, together with a complete rorganisatioii of the civil law.

The opinion had been expressed, said General Wisdom, that Australia had proved herself incapable in the administration of German New Guinea. It must, however, he remembered under what circumstances Australia has had to switch over from a military occupation to a properly organised civil administration, which involved the employment of an almost entirely untrained staff, both for the administration and the Expropriation Board. Perfect control, therefore, could not immediately he obtained, ns appeared to have been expected by critics. It was however, a striking commentary on the adaptability and the administrative qualities of the Australian that he had so successfully met the situation. With few exceptions, ho was making good, and Australia need have no fear in regard to Die administration of the ter. ritoiY.

Since tlie Expropriation Board was inaugurated about two years ago, the Administrator explained, over 300 plantations which had belonged to Germans had been taken over. These were now almost entirely managed by returned soldiers under the Hoard’s control.

General Wisdom expressed the belief i-hafc with the return of normal trade conditions the territory would prove the Commonwealth’s most coveted possession. Vast tracts of land, rich in tropical vegetation and inhabited by large numbers of natives wore, lie pointed out, as yet but barely explored. The Hell undulating valleys of two of the principal rivers, navigable for hundreds of miles, offered immeasurable opportunities for the growing of rice, coffee, tobacco, tea, and industrial alcohol. The territory also had immense mineral possibilities. Referring to certain reports of ah leged gold discoveries, General Wisdom said: “f have no knowledge of any sensational gold finds, and strongly advise that such stories should be treated with great caution. The reports were not accepted liv the Administration, which had taken special steps to ho in a position to enquire into the bona lidos of any reported finds.”