The Gradual Approach to Development in Papua New Guinea before Independence: A Historical Overview

Introduction 

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a rich history of development, spanning from the colonial period to the present day. This blog post will explore the gradual approach to development in PNG from 1884 to 1975, focusing on two key themes: the Hasluck governing system and the friendly New Guinea policy. These themes shed light on the paternalistic approach of the colonial government towards development, as well as the shift towards a more proactive approach in the post-World War II era.

 The Hasluck Governing System

The Hasluck governing system was embedded in paternalism, which aimed to keep control over the natives. The 1921 Native Administration Act was a key example of this system, which aimed to regulate the lives of the indigenous population. Under this act, the colonial government appointed village headmen to act as intermediaries between the government and the people. This system was designed to maintain control over the population and prevent any potential uprisings.

The Friendly New Guinea Policy

The friendly New Guinea policy was essential to Australia, as it aimed to prevent any potential threats to Australia's security. This policy hinted at a change in policy tone from an uninterested policy tone to one where the need to speed up development was recognized. This shift was due to the fall of Dutch in Indonesia, decolonization, and the 1962 Foot Report. The Foot Report recommended that Australia should take a more proactive approach to development in PNG, as it was in Australia's national interest to do so.

The Impact of Development on Agriculture

The idea of development had a significant impact on agriculture in late colonial PNG. The colonial government introduced new agricultural practices, such as the cultivation of cash crops like coffee and cocoa. These crops were grown for export and were a significant source of revenue for the colonial government. However, the introduction of cash crops had some negative impact on subsistence agriculture, which was the primary source of food for the indigenous population. The shift towards cash crops led to some areas that saw a decline in substances agriculture that affected food security. 

 The Language of Instruction Controversy

The language of instruction controversy was another key issue in the gradual approach to development in PNG. The colonial government introduced English as the language of instruction in schools, which was a significant departure from the indigenous languages that were spoken in PNG. This policy was designed to assimilate the indigenous population into Western culture and values. However, this policy was met with resistance from the indigenous population, who were sometimes incapable to communicate with the trend in development during that period. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the gradual approach to development in PNG was characterized by a paternalistic approach towards the indigenous population. The Hasluck
governing system and the friendly New Guinea policy were two key themes that shaped the approach to development in PNG. While the colonial government introduced new agricultural practices and policies, these policies often had negative impacts on the indigenous population. The language of instruction controversy was another key issue that highlighted the tension between the colonial government and the indigenous population. The gradual approach to development in PNG has had a lasting impact on the country and its people, shaping its history and identity.

Citations

[1] https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/151517/2/b24635686%20_MacWilliam_S.pdf

[2] https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-1966-1969.pdf

[3] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED133808.pdf

[4] http://learningportal.iiep.unesco.org/en/blog/the-language-of-instruction-controversy-in-papua-new-guinea

[5] https://smarthistory.org/an-introduction-to-photography-in-the-early-20th-century/

[6] https://www.jstor.org/stable/44256379