New Guinea Newsreel (1950s)

Canoage near Port Morsby is typical of puberty. In the past, 50% of native children died before they were 12 months old. But now that Sister Laura White has founded this infant welfare clinic, it's expected that instruction will save many infant lives. Native mothers are encouraged to bring their babies and under Sister White's guidance they learn how to safeguard their children. Sister may like it, but the Pikini has his own ideas. Native girls are being trained in infant welfare to prepare them for their own marriages and to teach other native women. The most damaging disease is TB and cod liver oil is part of the treatment. [Music] More hygienic feeding and still more instruction will enable Sister White's clinic to bring down infant mortality figures and realize Australia's ambition, which is to bring new health to the New Guinea natives. Receptive minds are a fertile field for education. There's playtime too. Like any school under Australian direction, it has its cricket team. Dusky bradmans who can make mighty hits modestly holding their laplaps as they run. If battles are won on playing fields, then the battle against ignorance and disease is being won in New Guinea in such fine schools as this. A native boy called Tongdiat says goodbye to his mother in the little village of Ratang, a few miles from Rabbal, and sets out on foot through the jungle. Tombiet is of a higher educational standard and so he's been chosen to attend the native medical and hygiene training school at Nonga. He gets a greeting from the superintendent, Mr. Walsh. And after a preliminary interview, he takes his place with 120 classmates who are being trained as medical assistants. He's a fully trained medical assistant in a course which takes 2 years. Back in his native village, he's an important man in charge of a native aid post. Children and adults look to him with respect and confidence. He's known as doctor boy now. His first treatment is a galer occasion to be seen by all the village as he gives an intravenous injection. [Music] Village life will be healthier and safer now. Ailments will be attended to in their early stages. By training natives in medicine and hygiene, Australia is indeed fulfilling an obligation to the people entrusted to her care. [Music]