CONTROL OF NEW GUINEA

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22935, 4 July 1944, Page 6

CONTROL OF NEW GUINEA

Minister Replies To Criticism SYDNEY. June 29. “The hostility of Mr Robson and a few others has been evident ever since it became clear that the Australian Government was determined upon a policy to give just treatment to all residents of the Australian territories including natives," said the Minister for External Territories iMr E. J. Ward) to-day. He was replying to comments made by the editor of the "Pacific Islands Monthly" (Mr R. W. Robson) who at the annual meeting of the Pacific Territories Association in Sydney this week proposed that, the control of New Guinea and Papua should be handed over to either Great Britain or the United States. Mr Ward said that he was gratified that Mr Robson’s proposal—made solely because he disagreed with the domestic policy—was overwhelmingly rejected by the meeting. “Strong exception is being taken to the Government's proposal to abandon the indentured native labour system as soon as possible, and to substitute a more humane treatment of native labour,” declared Mr Ward. “This does not suit. Mr Robson or the financial interests he represents." The Minister* added that the Commonwealth Government intended to carry out an extensive programme for the development of external territories. It. recognised that the present primitive state would endanger the future safety of Australia.