Mandafe Territories.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1922, Page 4

Mandafe Territories.

A USTR ALI AN MTSM ANAGEMENT DENTED. SYDNEY, AT arch 16. Charges of mismanagement, corruption, and inefficiency in the administration of former German colonies made in the Reichstag by the former Colonial Office official have received an emphatic denial so far as late German New Guinea is concerned.

In an official statement the Undersecretary for Kxternnl Affairs says “Australia, has received a mandate from the League of Nations to administer what was formerly German New Guinea, and she is. carrying out that mnndqto to the letter. Tire report is of an ex-parte statement, made by a member of the Reichstag. in the hope that the German colonies will be 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 humanely, in advancing them considerable sums when they left Australia, as well as for sustenance while they were waiting in Sydney for the vessel to take them to Europe: There was no necessity on the part of the Government to do this. It was pointed out n,t 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 bo the case. Under the mandate, Australia has absolute power to expropriate former enemy nationals. We 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 the League.