NEW GUINEA NATIVES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6243, 17 June 1946, Page 4

NEW GUINEA NATIVES

NO LONGER SIMPLE CHILDREN MADE ARMY LIFE PAY Twelve natives bought a seven-ton Army truck from the Commonwealth Disposals Commission at Lae in New Guinea for £7O, handing over a sugar bag with 1400 New Guinea shillings. The natives revealed that they intend to enter the carrying business and transport stores and machinery for the growing civil population. Another group of natives bought a three-ton truck last week for £6O. Now the vehicle can be seen racing along crammed with .native boys. It is reported that the owners agree to transport them in style at so much a head. This is just another reminder that civilians returning to this area are faced with a stupendous task in attempting to re-introduce the pre-war regime.

The fact mfust be faced that native boys are no longer simple children cf the jungle, but keen business men capable of driving a shrewd bargain. Long association with the Army has made them keenly aware of their rights as human individuals, and they have developed a strong spirit of independence. , They now work to earn sufficient money to acquire a few luxuries above the simple necessities of life. These consist mainly of skirts, an occasional mirror and a bottle of hair oil. During their association with the Army the natives have earned enough from Army pay and trading in fiiiit ami curios to last them for many years.