The “Explanation”

Why Canberra Did Not Visit Rabaul

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Nov. 2.

IN the Australian newspapers recently the Minister for Defence made the follow ing statement from Canberra, explaining, in part, the reason for the flagship Can berra not visiting Rabaul, as originally intended when the Fleet departed on the Spring cruise in August: “Both the Canberra and the Sussex,” said the Minister, “had been sent to Dar win instead of Rabaul as previously planned, partly because of a shortage of meat and other food supplies at Rabaul, as a result of a recent interruption of ship ping services. The residents of Rabaul had protested to the Minister for External Affairs (Sir George Pearce), who visited the Territory recently, against the pro posed naval visit, because it would re quire all the available refrigerator space and deprive local people of supplies."

Considerable indignation is felt by a number of local residents at the fore going remarks of Mr. Parkhill, more es pecially in view of the fact that it is a statement quite contrary to truth. No representation whatsoever was made to Sir George Pearce during his visit regard ing this matter, for the simple reason that there was no occasion for such a request to be made, or any fear of a shortage of supplies. Ample provision had been made by the shipping company to meet the added requirements of the naval unit.

For several years, Rabaul residents have anxiously awaited a visit from an Aus tralian warship; especially as during the last few years war vessels from Germany, Japan and France have paid official visits to the port. The last call made by an Australian warship was in 1930.