While rarely regarding herself as an imperial power, Australia has ruled a small empire in New Guinea for the better part of seventy year. In this collection of essays, historians trace the origins of Australians' intrest in New Guinea administered by Australia since 1914, first as occupied enemy territory and subsequently under Leauge of Nations and the United Nations authorization. In presenting in a single volume a much needed general historical account of the whole Australian administrative experience in Papua and New Guinea, this book provides a necessary basis for a full understanding of the problems besetting the emergence of the Territory as a full nation state. (back cover).