Japanese Poachers In Eastern

Papua

STRONG words are used by Mr. E. W.

Harrison, of Sebulugomura, Samarai, Eastern Papua, in a letter dated October 16, 1934: We have read from time to time in your estimable publication reports that Japan ese vessels, in the Mandated Territory, the Solomons, and in the islands adjacent to the Queensland coast, are openly violat ing the laws of these various countries, and poaching upon the beds of trochus shell lying off-shore in the afore-men tioned localities.

We were only mildly interested until last month, when a Japanese vessel, with out any attempt at concealment, visited the D’Entrecasteaux Group, and in addi tion to fraternizing and mingling with the local natives, swept the adjacent reefs clean of shell, and informed the inhabit ants “they would be back later in a larger vessel.”

Well, we live in changing times, but that an Englishman should live to see foreigners, with impunity, so despise the British flag in general, and the Australian Government in particular, as to utterly flout our laws and customs regulations In this manner, makes one wonder if the boasted supremacy of the white races is not already a thing of the past.

Can you imagine any British vessel being allowed to treat Japanese territory in a similar fashion? The crew would very quickly find themselves inside a Ja panese gaol.

No greater indictment of the present

calibre of Australian politicians could be produced than the fact that, in order to sell a few thousand pounds’ worth of Australian wool, they are apparently willing to let Japan ride rough-shod over Australian settlers in Papua, and the Mandated Territory, and, without protest, allow the livelihood of their fellow countrymen to be filched by these foreigners..

Surely our cup of humiliation is now full, to overflowing.

Intercepted By Lieut.-Governor:

Pt. Moresby, Nov. 15.

It is reported that a Japanese sampan in October was on the Eastern Papuan coast, and visited Hula. She had a crew of 18, and at Hula a visitor saw 16 copra bags of shell and six of beche-de-mer.

None of the Japanese could speak English —it appears that they had been fishing in Australian waters and were on their way back to Japan.

On October 18, the Lieutenant-Gover nor of Papua (Sir Hubert Murray), cruis ing in the Government yacht Laurabada off Aroma, met the sampan, intercepted the vessel, and requested the master to come on board the Laurabada, which he did. But no evidence could be found that the Japanese were engaged in illegal practices, and the sampan continued on its way. Apparently, it was after this that the sampan called at Hula and re mained two days, procuring native food and water. It was then that the shell and beche-de-mer were noticed.