A meeting of the Hanuabada Native Local Government Council near Port Moresby

Abstract

A meeting of the Hanuabada Native Local Government Council near Port Moresby. One in Papua and representing about 2,500 people through 17 elected Councillors, Hanuabada, proclaimed in September, 1950, was the first council in the Territory. In May, 1961, there were 43 councils, with 1,221 elected Councillors, representing almost 305,395 people. The native people are also represented on Town and Advisory Councils and on 10th April, 1961, six elected native members took their seats in a reconstituted Legislative Council together with six appointed native members. Native participation in economic development is also increasing rapidly; at 31st March, 1961, there were 218 native co-operative societies, 13 associations and one federation with a total membership of 74,140 in operation. One of the purposes of co-operatives is to enable the native people to acquire practical knowledge and experience in managing their own economic enterprises. With Administration assistance and supervision native leaders and officials are gradually assuming positions of greater responsibility.