PACIFIC MANDATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1922, Page 5

PACIFIC MANDATES.

CRITICISM OF ADMINISTRATION. INSPIRED BY GERMANY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, June 16. The constant cavilling against the New Zealand Government’s administration of Samoa finds abundant echo in connection with the Federal Government’s administration of Papua. Mr. Hughes, replying to adverse criticism, says it is time these misrepresentations were stopped. Deliberately, or unwittingly, interested business and public men are assisting in the insidious propaganda which is being carried on with the object of discrediting Australia as a mandatory Power.

Germany wants the islands back, and she is being assisted by those who repeat all the poisonous tittle-tattle of the enemies of the Commonwealth. German propaganda is an insidious and deadly thing. Its agents are many and not confined to those of German nationality.

The gross misrepresentations recently made in the German Reichstag against the Australian administration of Papua were based upon the authority of certain members of the Australian Parliament. Germany was determined to regain possession of her loet colonies, and was bending every effort to that end. She was endeavoring to persuade the world that Australia was unfit to govern New Guinea, but the retention of these islands was essential to Australia’s safety. Those who spread Tying statements were enexnies of the Commonwealth.