Whitlam’s plea in New Guinea

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33155, 20 February 1973, Page 13

Whitlam’s plea in New Guinea

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) GOROKA, February 19. The Australian Prime Minister (Mr Gough Whitlam) pleaded with 10,000 natives in the highlands of New Guinea today for them to grasp the challenge of independence.

i Some 3000 of the Highland tribes people were decorated lin their traditional regalia of bird of paradise plumes and j feathers and armed with ibows and arrows. They listened impassively to Mr Whitlam, towering 'head and shoulders above the diminutive Highlanders, as he spoke to them from the (grandstand at the Goroka showgrounds. They listened equally! impassively to their own! elected leaders, as theyi delivered to Mr Whitlam a; petition in which 2000 signatories asked that they not beJ hurried beyond self-govern-•: ment and into independence.' It was a reversal of the! accepted roles in the British! [colonial experience, and: [might well have astonished jan African political leader, i The Papua New Guineas Chief Minister (Mr Michael! Somare) sat next to Mr Whitlam at Goroka, 5500 feet up m the New Guinea highlands! and surrounded by blue mist- ■ covered mountains. But Mr (Somare did not speak, i Two main themes ran i through the case put to Mr Whitlam by the Highland ' politicians, Akepa Miakwe !and Sinake Giregire. both members of the United Party Which is in opposition to Mr Somare. They said in their speeches and in their petition that

they were prepared for selfgovernment at the end of the year. But they objected to the national coalition which Mr Somare heads taking the decision that Papua New Guinea should be independent. And they said they were concerned at unemployment in the highlands, and at village youth who were rejecting the authority of the ! tribal elders. After receiving the petition Mr Whitlam descended {from the grandstand to walk i among the plumed warriors lin the showgrounds. ; As he walked among (them shaking hands, and !exchanging words, with Mr! I Somare acting as interpreter, !the warriors, naked but for i their tribal regalia, danced and chanted. ' They brandished bows and ! barbed arrows, and jagged clubs. Mr Whitlam will fly back to Port Moresby tonight be;fore his departure tomorrow ifor Indonesia.