“CHAOTIC CONDITIONS.”

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18018, 17 February 1922, Page 5

“CHAOTIC CONDITIONS.”

LATE GERMAN NEW GUINEA.

MALADMINISTRATION ALLEGED. [from our own correspondent.]

SYDNEY, Feb. 8,

Serious charges as to the chaotic condition of the Administration of the territory of late German New Guinea, over which Australia holds a mandate, have been made by a prominent planter, who is how in Sydney. He drew a sorry picture of the condition of the territory, and said everything there was now unsettled. All the white people were discontented. The Administration, which was supposed to make the country selfsupporting, was not fulfilling its duty. It was short of funds. Many of tho staff of the Administration had resigned. The staff had recently asked for increases in salaries, hospital expenses, and for fares to be paid to and from Sydney. All the requests had been negatived. Business was practically at a standstill. For a considerable time the people had been waiting for a decision covering the land policy. The delay had had serious results. Something would have to be done very soon. The Expropriation Board was not properly organised. "An example," said the planter (Mr. Leahy), " is the treatment of one of the first white men to $o to Rabaul. Ho is Peter Hansen, a Swede, once cabin boy to " Bully " Hayes, the notorious trader, nearly 60 years of age. At present he is destitute, and would starve but for the charity of tho people. Hansen was in partnership with a German planter, and because of this all his plantations were taken from him. He is entitled to receive certificates for the actual valuio of his plantation, to be drawn on Germany. But ho has been waiting months, and is penniless. Hansen was till a few years ago accounted a wealthy man. He came to Sydney just before the war, and bought a schooner for £4000. When he got back the natives burned it.