James Larkin

Release After Serving Five Years

THE release of James Larkin from the Tuncurry Prison Camp, New South Wales took place on November 3. It is understood that he will be married at an early date, and will go to live in South America.

Mr. Larkin was the owner of Noru plantation, in the Admiralty Group, New Guinea, and on October 28, 1931, he re primanded a native labourer. Sambung.

Sambung was insolent and cheeky, and a fight occurred between Larkin and Sambung. Larkin was bitten, and severely injured. Later, under Larkin’s orders, Sambung was held and flogged.

Sambung subsequently became very ill, and died, apparently from blood-poisoning caused by his flogging.

On November 30, 1931, Chief Judge Wanliss found Larkin guilty of murder, and sentenced him to ten years’ imprison ment.

Some of Mr. Larkin’s friends, and the Pacific Islands Monthly, took the view that the verdict was wrong and the punishment excessive; and that the offence, if any, was manslaughter; and. during 1932, 1933, and 1934, an agitation was carried on for a revision of the sentence. A petition (promoted by the P.1.M., and the cost borne by public sub scription in New Guinea) was presented to the Administrator in 1935, carrying over 600 signatures, and praying for re consideration of the case.

Early in 1935, the editor of the P.I.M. was informed, unofficially but authori tatively, that if he would “shut up for a while,” something would be done in Rabaul, in the Larkin case. The editor promised to “shut up” accordingly, and did, during 1935.

Early in 1936, as nothing had been done, we prepared to renew the agitation. Then we were informed that the Larkin case would be dealt with this year—“please say nothing in the meantime.” Finally, in June, we learned that Mr. Larkin would be released in November.

If we had known that nearly two years were to elapse before anything was done, we should never have agreed to “shut up” in the first place.

Mr. Larkin should have been released a year ago. As it is, he has served five years—which is an excessive sentence.

New Guinea residents would very much like to know the true story of the oppo sition that was organised and presented in Rabaul against any interference with the original sentence on James Larkin.