HOSTILE TRIBESMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1933, Page 8

HOSTILE TRIBESMEN

MURDERS IN NEW GUINEA

BITTERNESS OF NATIVES

SYDNEY, February 2

According to the latest reports to reach Sydney from Rabaul the murder in New 1 Guinea on January 7 of William Naylor and Emile Clarius, as well a s nine native carriers, was the result of an. increasing native bitterness against tlie steady advancement of the white man in the mandated territory. The murders occurred in a native area' in the Atorobe district, which had not been previously visited by Europeans. Strange to say both white men, believed to be prospectors, were respected hv the tribesmen, but their death was demanded as vengeance sworn to be wreaked on labour recruiters.

The'murders followed closely on the killing of the recruiter, T. F. Exton, in ! December, and are regarded as a tangible sign of growing opposition from all tribesmen. Despite an 'assurance that Special measures are being taken by the Administration to bring Papua and' the mandated territory under strict control there is a ieeling tlia4 other' prospectors and recruiters will fall'victim's - ttf the- tribes; 1 '■•'

Many of the inland blacks, of becoming accustomed to 'the settlement of Europeans, refuse to regard it as inevitable, and 'are prepared to fight every inch of the way. To accentuate the position there is ill feeling among the tribesg over the recruiting of labour. Many of the natives who have been persuaded to leave their own districts —the recruiting is purely voluntary—have suffered in health and some have died. Those who return do s° with’ hate in their hearts, and in some cases vow to kill the first recruiting agent who puts in an appearance. This attitude of revenge quickly spreads, and it is felt that many thousands of natives in New Guinea are imbued with it. The feeling inland'is said to be that the more rigorously the white man is repelled, the more mercilessly pioneers are treated, the greater chance there is of their mountains being preserved. The Administration claims to have the position' in hand, but there is consternation in many quarters because no arrests have been made. The position is one of grave danger for those whites who are living in isolated parts of the territory.