This work investigates the complex political, social, and cultural transition of Papua New Guinea as it approached independence from Australian administration. Peter Hastings, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in the region, utilizes his background in Pacific affairs to analyze the friction between traditional tribal structures and the imposition of Western democratic frameworks. The text argues that the territory's path to self-governance is fraught with unique challenges stemming from its extreme geographic isolation and internal linguistic diversity.

The subject matter points to a dense, historical account that serves as a primary resource for understanding the geopolitical climate of the Pacific in the early 1970s. The framing suggests a specialist text intended for readers interested in the mechanics of decolonization and the specific administrative history of Papua New Guinea.