Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.
Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.
Instruction to stop thumbprinting Chinese nationals in Papua New Guinea
Memo to the Secretary of the Department of External Affairs.
I refer again to your memorandum, 1486/2 of 7th February, 1949, relative to the Note of the Chinese Embassy concerning the practice of thumb-printing Chinese Nationals in the [word crossed out] Territory of Papua-New Guinea.
The matter was referred to the Administrator and he has now advised that instructions were given last January to discontinue thumb-printing permanent Chinese residents of the Territory of Papua-New Guinea who were able to sign their name in a satisfactory manner.
The Administrator adds that instructions have now been given that the practice of taking thumb prints is to be discontinued.
