IN NEW GUINEA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 241, 10 September 1929, Page 8

IN NEW GUINEA.

AUSTRALIAN ADMINIS. TRATION. (Australian Press Association— United Service.) LONDON, Sept. 7. The Mandates Commissioner’s report to the League Council states that the commission last year was disturbed by certain aspects of the administration of New Guinea. Neither the Administrator’s report of 192 (-28 nor Sir Granville Rvrie’s verbal explanations to the commission alLayed the apprehensions, which the commission regarded had been confirmed from reliable information. . . ... “Being still of the impression that the state of the territory was not satisfactory, the commission at present preferred not to submit any conclusions to the council until fiirther information bad been received from Australia.” . , ~ Sir Granville Ryne, replying to the above criticisms in a strong note dated July 31, protested against the commission accepting as confirmation ot the unsatisfactory condition of the territory questions in the House of Representatives on September 29, 192/, and at the conference held at Rabul in 1927, especially .as far-reaching resolutions passed at the latter, resolutions affecting the moral, social and material welfare of the natives, had been accepted almost completely by the New Guinea Advisory Council. _ The Administration was most strictly enforcing the law relating to 'recruitment, and was doing its utmost to check certain customs of the natives where they were repugnant to the principles of humanity. , , . • ■ An impartial survey of the Administration’s work since 1921 showed that Australia had faithfully discharged her mandatory obligations. The natives had been protected without hampering the progress of the country, and the utmost endeavours were being made to promote their material and moral well-being. . ... Despite this note, the commission stated that it did not propose to alter its decision. It would not submit its conclusions until such time as further information had been received, but it would bear in mind the additional information which Sir Granville Ryrie’s note had furnished.