44.2 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—H. 
These ceremonies have now been given up everywhere except over a small area. 
They will soon disappear altogether, as the younger generation is beginning to chafe 
at the restrictions involved. 
Mr. Gregory Barrson.—A Form of Shamanism on the Sepik Rwer, New 
Guinea. 
The Iatmnl people of the Sepik River (New Guinea) practise a form of Shamanism 
which is comparable with Asiatic Shamanism. We may study it from three points 
of view: (a) Morphological, (6) Functional, and (c) Evolutionary. 
According to our point of view different facts become relevant, and we require 
different axioms and different criteria of equivalence. 
In conclusion, it is suggested that Sepik Shamanism is probably not morpho- 
logically equivalent (homologous) to that of Asia, although the two are to some extent 
functionally equivalent (analogous). From an evolutionary point of view it is 
probable that similar processes and laws of change have been at work in the two 
areas, and that therefore the two systems are to some extent genetically equivalent 
(homonomous). 
Sir Hupert Murray, K.C.M.G.—The Scientific Method as applied to 
Native Labour Problems in Papua. 
In dealing with native labour in Papua, the Administration has as its principles : 
(1) the well-being and development of the natives; (2) the development of the 
country in which they live. 
The first is a ‘sacred trust of civilisation,’ accepted for all native races in the 
British Empire ; their interests are to be ‘ paramount,’ that is, never to be sacrificed 
to those of the European settlers. 
Development of resources is necessary (a) that Papua may contribute what it 
can to the general wealth of mankind ; (6) in the direct general interest of the natives 
themselves, as well as of white people attracted thither. Without development, 
there can be no local revenue, and local revenue is necessary because the subsidy 
from the Commonwealth of Australia is not sufficient to maintain order, suppress 
head-hunting and similar customs, and maintain schools and hospitals and other 
utilities. 
Development may be carried out by natives, either working for themselves, in 
their own interests, or working for European employers, or by both methods combined. 
In Papua, unlike West Africa and Tanganyika, the natives could not have developed 
plantations or mines without European direction and capital. But the demand for 
labour under European direction must be ratified either by natives or by imported 
labourers. Australian opinion precludes the latter, and rightly insists that both 
on principle and in practice Papuan labour must be voluntary. Such labour may be 
either free or indentured. The Indenture system implies a legal penalty for breach 
of indenture, which is defensible until the native develops the sense of responsibility 
for contracts ; but in various ways the transition from indentured to free labour is 
facilitated. Meanwhile, the indenture system serves to regulate the labour supply. 
It is, however, applied only to men, because indentured households lose their status in 
their own village, and tend to become a landless proletariat. 
Development by native enterprise is slow. The native-tax (applied exclusively 
to the benefit of natives) encourages produce and manufacture; and a native com- 
munity may work out its liability to tax by establishing a plantation in co-partnership 
with government ; individual natives are encouraged in development work on their 
own account. 
Admittedly we are imposing on a primitive people a form of activity involving 
a conception of duty which is really strange to them. The administration, while 
making them face the new conditions, must see that they suffer no harm from this 
absolutely novel and very dangerous adventure. 
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AFTERNOON. 
The Rt. Hon. Lorp Luearp, P.C., G.C.M.G.-- Lecture on Africa in ~ 
Transition. 
(Joint Meeting with Section H, q.v.) 
