NEW GUINEA UNDER AUSTRALIAN MANDATE RULE.

This article examines the functioning of the mandates system in the territory of New Guinea. New Guinea before World War II was a German territory. Following the outbreak of the war, the British Empire invaded the territory. The wartime authority of Australia over New Guinea was based upon conquest by the British Empire. The Commonwealth was allowed to exercise authority during the war, but the Imperial Government reserved the right of determining in agreement with the other interested powers, the final disposition of the territory. The titles used to designate the territory taken from the Germans in some cases indicated the desire and the intention to consider the territory as future British territory. During the military administration all powers of legislation were vested in the commanding military officer, subject to the conditions of the occupation and to instruction from the Commonwealth Government. The German advisory council was abolished. Except for a short time, during which justice was administered by courts- martial, the regular system of justice was maintained and utilized. In accordance with the principles of international law relating to territory in military occupation, little change was made during the military occupation in the general body of German law.