Abstract
ALTHOUGH there has been a tendency, owing to the course of events, to focus attention on Africa in discussing the future of mandated territories, the uncompromising attitude of the Commonwealth ministers in reply to questions in the Federal Parliament on March 13 serves as a reminder that in Australia this question is regarded as a vital issue. Not only did Mr. Lyons, the Prime Minister, affirm the Commonwealth's whole-hearted support of the British Government's declaration on the matter of the return of the colonies to Germany, but also Sir George Pearce, Minister for External Affairs, in the Senate, as reported in The Times of March 14, recapitulated the strategic arguments, which make the retention of German New Guinea by Australia and the Japanese mandate essential conditions of the security of Australia and of stability in the Pacific. He struck to the root of the matter, however, when he reminded his hearers that Australia in her administrative policy in New Guinea has been actuated by the British conception that colonial possessions are trusts to be administered in the best interests of the native populations. In support of this contention, Sir George pointed out that in present conditions the natives of the territory formerly German New Guinea are better protected, and that the development of roads, shipping, air transport and medical and educational services have contributed to their well-being and contentment. It is perhaps worth while to add, for the benefit of those who have not followed closely the extension of the administrative services of Papua to German New Guinea since the latter became a mandated territory, that this successful result is not fortuitous. It arises out of the efforts which have been made on behalf of the Australian Government to add to scientific knowledge of the country and people, and the administration's far-sighted adaptation of that knowledge to the needs of the situation.
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Australia and the Mandates. Nature 137, 486–487 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/137486c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/137486c0