Part I: 1975–88: The seventies and eighties: Early struggles

There are ample reasons for optimism about the long-run outlook for economic development in Papua New Guinea. (World Bank 1978, 64)

The politically independent Papua New Guinea will inherit intractable economic problems … Independence will come to Papua New Guineans not as a great victory, and not as a great gift from Australia; but as a prelude to a task which they must accept. (Nelson 1972, 114, 230)¹

1. 1 In fact, Nelson refers to ‘Niugini’ and ‘Niuginians’ and adds the words ‘as men’ before ‘they must accept’. The second sentence is the concluding sentence in his book.