GERMAN NEW GUINEA

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 28

GERMAN NEW GUINEA

THE ASIATIC PJtOBLEM. (From Odr Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 22. Now that the Federal Government has passed a series of ordinances governing land settlement and mining operations in the mandated territory of German New Guinea, it is expected that there will be a noticeable revival in development and a considerable increase in population. The Administrator, who is at present in Australia, regards the native problem as the most pressing and difficult of the questions confronting the new administration. He considers, however, that, the adoption of laws protecting the natives, providing for proper treatment of labourers, and arranging for the education of native children, will contribute in an important degree to the settlement of these problems. Regarding the question of Chinese immigration, the Administrator considers there is no doubt that traders and artisans of this race are getting a grip on the commercial activities of the territory, and are multiplying rapidly. The Japanese and Malays do not bring their women to the territory, but the Chinese do. and tlieir families are numerous. The artisans have formed a league which closely resembles a trade union, and have adopted the go-slow policy in full measure. It would, the Administrator thought, be a big job to get New Guinea back to normal life and to build up an efficient administration, but he considers that the success already achieved is a remarkable tribute to the adaptableness of the Australians.