The Larkin Case
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
Letter to the Editor.
AS one who approves of much that ap pears in the editorial columns of the P.I.M., I write to say that I think you are in error in urging that James Larkin was over-punished for bringing about the death of a native in New Guinea.
If you make inquiries among the official records you will find that Larkin was in trouble on possibly half a dozen previous occasions, owing to assaults on natives.
I believe that there was one occasion when he very narrowly escaped a severe sentence at the hands of a responsible D.O. I am quite in accord with the argument that discipline must be maintained among natives, and that injustice must be resisted at all costs, but I think you will find if you make due inquiry, that James Larkin’s record was not a credit able one, and that such record fully jus tified the severe sentence imposed upon him for the particular offence of which he was convicted.
The P.I.M. is too good and useful a journal to be allowed to go so seriously astray in this matter of the Larkin case.
I am, etc.,
N.G. Planter.
Sydney, 10th Feb., 1934.