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[CULTURE] · Netherlands, Indonesia · 3 sources

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Pa van der Steur withdraws group from New Guinea

Pa van der Steur New Guinea colonization Dutch East Indies history Indo-European history 1930s economic crisis

In November 1931, Pa van der Steur announced the decision to withdraw his group, known as the ‘Steurtjes’, from New Guinea following a failed attempt at self-sufficiency. The initiative arose during the economic hardships of the 1930s in the Dutch East Indies, which particularly impacted the Indo-European community.

The Vereeniging Kolonisatie Nieuw Guinea had organized a voyage that attracted hundreds of applicants, though only forty were able to participate. Additionally, a separate group of 20 boys—half from van der Steur’s home and half from the Protestant Orphanage in Semarang—joined the expedition with the intent of working and living independently without employing local Papuans.

By 1931, reports surfaced in the press describing the behavior of van der Steur’s boys as unruly and insolent. This forced van der Steur to engage in damage control to protect his reputation and ensure continued donations to his institution.

Entities

Dutch East Indies · New Guinea · Pa van der Steur · Protestants Weeshuis · Vereeniging Kolonisatie Nieuw Guinea

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Wat moesten de Steurtjes in Nieuw-Guinea? 1930 [dagblad070.nl]
Wat moesten de Steurtjes in Nieuw-Guinea? 1930 [goudsdagblad.nl]
Wat moesten de Steurtjes in Nieuw-Guinea? 1930 [dagblad010.nl]