Wednesday, March 1, 1961 University Daily Kansan
Page 2
Dutch Protectorate Moves for Self Rule
THE HAGUE —(UPI)— Dutch New Guinea, part of the larger-than-Texas island off the north coast of Australia, is taking its first step towards self-determination April 5.
On that day, the island installs its first representative council, the beginning of a parliament for one of the world's most backward populations, portions of which still live by the rules of the Stone Age. The eastern part of the island is Australian administered.
IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with United Press International, Dutch Home Affairs Minister Edzo H. Toxopeus said that a year hence the council will be asked to advise the Dutch government on how the island could proceed towards self-determination.
A ten-year development plan, worked out by the Dutch government, has been set in motion that will cost the Dutch approximately 100,000,000 guilders (about $30 million) in the first year, and then rise in the next three years to approximately 120,000,000 guilders a year, the minister said.
THE DUTCH envisage an absolutely free voice for the Papuans among independence, federation with the Australian portion of Timor, alignment with Indonesia, maintenance of links with the Netherlands, or whatever else they may choose.
It is within this period that Holland hopes to be able to advance the people of Dutch New Guinea—some 700,000 Papuans in all—to a stage where they might be able to determine their own political future.
The Dutch government has recently increased the garrison of the island somewhat, and coastal defenses are alerted to intercept any infiltrators.
Indonesia is claiming Dutch New Guinea as hers, and a Communist-backed military buildup currently is causing anxiety lest some aggressive action might be launched against the island.
THE NEW "COUNCIL for New Guinea" is to be a body of 28 members, the majority of whom will be Papuans. Sixteen of the total will be elected this month. The rest will be appointed. In the near future, the
KU Grad, Student Win at Met Tryout
A KU graduate and a KU student won honors in the annual Metropolitan Opera auditions Sunday afternoon in Kansas City.
Richard Wright, who received his bachelor and master's degrees in music from KU and who is presently employed at the KANU radio station, was one of five winners selected to attend the regional auditions in Tulsa, Okla. on March 11.
Sharon Tebbenkamp, Salisbury Mo. junior, was chosen the alternate.
Winners chosen from the Tulsa auditions will go to New York to be in the finals.
council's membership is to be extended to a total of 48.
The plans include the buildup of a small Papuan volunteer force, starting with battalion strength. There is already a Papuan police force.
The process of development is hampered by the natural conditions of this vast island with its almost inaccessible interior. The efforts, however, are to be speeded up under the new ten-year program. About a third of the population has yet to be brought under organized administration since these people live in the inner parts of the island where conditions are reminiscent of the Stone Age, the minster said.
THE ISLAND'S resources which are to be developed under the new plan, include nickel, cobalt and copper, timber, cocoa, rubber, coffee, supplemented by a major rice-growing program.
Thus far, and for some time to come, New Guinea is not a "business proposition" and little or no foreign private capital has shown any interest in the country's development prospects.
January Living Costs Decline
WASHINGTON - (UPI) - Living costs fell by 1 of one per cent in January for the first decline in a year, the government reported today.
Lower prices for clothes, new and used cars and food were responsible for the decrease.
Severe winter weather and declining consumer demand were both factors in the decrease in the consumer price index.
Prices on women's and girls' coats and women's suits were slashed at end-of-season sales which pulled down apparel prices by an average 1.1 per cent last month.
The house wife also paid less for eggs, fresh tomatoes, fresh fruits and milk. But meats, poultry and fresh vegetables were more expensive last month.
Used car prices fell by 2.5 per cent, and new car prices held steady following large discounts offered last fall.
The department said higher rates for hospital and surgical insurance and hospital rooms pushed up the medical care index by .3 of one per cent.
Home heating fuel prices rose sharply by 3.6 per cent, about one-third more than usual, because of heavy demand brought on by subfreezing weather.
Up-Grading
LONDON — (UPI) — Rural councils plan to turn their garbage collectors into white collar workers.
To remove the "stigma" of being a garbage man, they plan to introduce waterproof paper bags to be collected "by smart young men in white collars."
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