An Axe to Grind - Colonial Opposition in Papua New Guinea

An Axe to Grind - Colonial Opposition in Papua New Guinea

Australian colonial rule in Papua was derived from two very distinct strands, which existed simultaneously and dictated the future trajectory of development in the colony. Australian legislative authority, derived from the Crown, was ultimately the major determinant of law within Papua. However, the day-to-day administration of these colonies was delegated by legislation to be exercised by the Lieutenant Governor of Papua. The Lieutenant-Governorship of Papua by Sir John Hubert Plunkett Murray is significant due to its longevity (1905-1940) as well as its unfailing commitment to a turn-of-the-century variation of equality. However, many of his decisions and opinions were not popular among the white colonialist population of the territory. This opposition was formally voiced by the Papuan Times, who led campaigns against every facet of Australian rule in the territory. By examining the writings of the Times, we are provided a snapshot of white colonial society in the period leading up to 1915. This paper aims to examine the main points of contention between Murray and the Times readership as it pertains to the enfranchisement of colonists and early colonial administration. While colonial opposition is often studied as the relationship between coloniser and Indigenous peoples, in this instance, opposition to Australian colonial rule stemmed from the colonists themselves, an area which has received minimal scholarly attention.

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