MANDATE TERRITORIES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17410, 22 March 1922, Page 9

MANDATE TERRITORIES.

AUSTRALIAN MISMANAGEMENT

DENIED,

(fkoii ora ow>* corkesposdekt.)

SYDNEY, March 16,

Charges of mismanagement, corruption, and inefficiency in the administration of former German colonies mad© in the Reichstag by the former Colonial Office official have received an emphatic denial, on the part of the Australian authorities, bo far as late German .New Guinea is concerned. In an official, statement the DnderSecretarv for External Affairs, say!',: "Australia, has' received a mandate from the League of' Nations to administer what was formerly, German New Guinea, and site is carrying; out that mandate to tho letter. The report 13 of an es parte statement, made by a member ot the Reichstag, in the hope that the German colonies will bo returned. No doubt many Germans who have been expropriated from former possessions in various parts of the world, although they have been fairly dealt with, harbour a feeling of bitterness and resentment. Australia not only treated the expropriated German nationals fairly, but humaneiy, in advancing them considerable sums when they left Australia, as well as for sustenance while they were waiting in Sydney for tho vessel to take them to Europe. There was no necessity on the part of the Government to do this. It was pointed out at the time that the Federal Parliament .was discussing the question of expropriation that complaints lodged by irresponsible persons would be echoed in Germany, and this has. proved to be the case. Under the mandate Australia has absolute power to expropriate former enemy nationals. Wo report to the League of Nations regularly, and are responsible to the League "for what we do. If Germany has any complaints she is at liberty to address them to tho League.