NEW GUINEA STILL UNKNOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1920, Page 11

NEW GUINEA STILL UNKNOWN.

BRITISH EXPLORER DECLARES THAT IN MANS PARTS THE NATIVES HAVE NEVER SEEN WHITE MAN'S PACK. (By Special Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor). "Strange though it may appear, there are thousands ot' British subjects living to-day in various parts of our possessions who have never seen a white face, nor even hoard of the mighty institution of which they form part—the British Empire. The.r world of living tilings ends when earth meets sky." Thus E. W. Pearson Chinnery summed up the situation, when invited by a representative of The Christian Science Monitor to tell something of the yet little known land of New Guinea on which he is an authority. Mr. C'hinnery has been engaged in administrative exploration work in all parts of the territory since 1009, save for the interruption of the last two years, when he left to enlist in the Australian Flying Corps. SAVAGES PAST AND PRESENT. After the war was over, Mr. Chinnery entered Christ's College, Cambridge, as a research student in anthropology. Since then some interesting papers have been read by him before the British Association, Royal Anthropological Institute, Royal Colonial Institute, Horniman's Museum, and other great bodies. A fascinating series of lectures on Savages Past and Present wore delivered also to the students of the Royal Navy at Cambridge, and it is universally felt by all those who have had the privilege of hearing Mr. Chinnery, that he is a master of Ilia subject. Among the least known of the isolated corners of the Empire beloved by Mr. Chinnery, are those hidden away in the mountains and valleys of the interior of British New Guinea. As an officer of the magisterial staff of Papua, ho has explored a vast area of the hinterland, in order to introduce the culture of civilisation to many thousands of its inhabitants. Little is known outside Papua, he explains, of the results achieved by district officers, A comparatively small portion of Papua is under control"; but even so the future of the territory is assured, for the area under settlement and development, has given indications of great promise. Petroleum fields have been discovered; minerals (copper and gold) and rich agricultural products are exported; while the portion under cultivation increases annually. POPULATION CHIEF ASSET. Thd chief asset of this youn<r colony, however, according to Mr. Chinnery, is its native population. Those people who have already absorbed the elements of civilisation, supply labor for the plantations and other industries upon which development depends. But as settlement expands, so the need for labor increases, and to meet its demands the administration is forced to increase the area under control. For the purpose of extending government influence, the territory is divided into administrative areas, each in charge of a resident or assistant resident magistrate. Detachments of armed native constabulary (Papuans) under white officers, are stationed in each division under the control of the district ofiiccrs, officials charged witli the development of those races in their districts which are under control, aiid with the responsibility of exploring the unknown portions and introducing civilisation among their inhabitants.

FIRST WHITE MAN SEEN. Mr. Chinnery estimates that during the term of his service in this capacity 'the seeds of civilisation were sown among no less than 13,000 people. Of this number, he says, 11,000 had never seen a white man other than himself. For several years he was able to observe their gradual evolution and to help their development, while engaged in investigations of the economic resources of the country and also, in addition to the number thus brought under his influence, to establish friendly relations with some 13,000 whose subsequent progress he is unable yet to gauge. As Mr. Chinnery was but one of many officers similarly employed in administrative exploration, these figures may give some idea of what is being done by the magisterial staff of Papua in the interests of the empire.

SEED OF CIVILISATION SOWN, An officer, Mr. Chinnery says, is said to have sown effectively the seed of civilisation among savage races, when he has induced them to abandon such practices as homicide,.head-hunting, and cannibalism, and has been able to appoint one of their number in each district to represent government, authority, and to bring all cases of wrongdoing before the magisterial courts for adjustment. It is on the foundation of such practices as the above mentioned, Mr. Chinnery says, that the native builds his wSiole social and religious structure. Interference which may destroy the very essence of his welfare must, he thinks, be carried out in such a way that the stability of cultural institutions will not bo impaired. As he says, this is no small task, for in the first place the district officer must gain the full confidence of his people, and establish the proper relationship between government and subject. CLOSE STUDY NEEDED. He must also devote intensive study to their cultures, and to the modes of thought which, produce customs antagonistic to civilised standards. He mus* offer, in place of these, a choice of substitutes which will be equally effective in perpetuating their welfare, and while they are struggling to readjust themselves, lie must, be ever at hand, patient and helpful. He must always remember that his intrusion among them has shattered the faith built, up by many generations of tradition, and that, in" its place are cultures wholly alien to them, of which he is ihe central figure. Moreover, he must remember that they are ready to absorb his teaching, quickly and thoroughly, and that on the in'-, flueuee exerted by him, depends tb?ir future progress. hen lie has guided them, safely through the initial stages of transition, and has retained their confidence throughout; when they consult him day and night on social and domestic matters. accepting his judgments: when they welcome him in their villages; then—-o'-'t not More—says Mr. Chinnery, he may bo reasonably certain that he has effectively sown the seed of civilisation.