Since the 19th century, when the first European colonists reached New Guinea, the island has had a small but fervent population of cargo cultists. They build mock airstrips on mountaintops and wharves along the seashore in hopes that they will bring the material prosperity enjoyed by the plane-and ship-borne white man. Last week the white man brought to the eastern half of the island* some cargo that a good many cultists might find to be of doubtful value: independence. As Australia's Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and Britain's Prince Charles stood at attention...
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