Patrol Officers And Gold

Braid

Letter to the Editor IN regard to the recent suggestion that Patrol Officers in Papua may have been inconveniencecd by the lack of uni forms or badge of distinction in the exe cution of their duties (a condition by the way that has only just come to the notice of our able Ministers in Australia after 30 years’ successful administra tion) it might be stated that other incon veniences of 30 years’ standing might be looked into as well.

There are the apathy and disinterested interference of those who should be alive

to the fact that, in spite of no badge or uniform as a mark of authority, the Administration has for 30 years had no necessity of their adoption for the Patrol Officers of the Territory—either in the execution of their duties, or in order to give an air or note of authority in their dealing with natives in remote areas.

It may be that our Ministers are fully aware of the good work done by the Patrol Officers of Papua in the last 30 years without badges or uniforms, and that, with fatherly interest, they merely fear that these men are in danger of

falling into the vanity of depreciation.

For it has been said, that there can very easily be “as much vanity in wear ing fustian as smart clothes or uniform.”

In that case, vanity has not been, so far, a marked failing of the Patrol Officers of Papua. Rather have they shown no feel ings at all beyond a mild bewilderment occasionally over Canberra’s rare brain waves.

No doubt, gold braid, brass buttons, peak caps, epaulettes, and gilt swords, would look most effective, adorning some well-set manly forms on parade, and nothing could look grander or more im pressive than such a squad strutting gracefully along the paths beside our palm-shaded, jade-green lagoons. But much of their pristine loveliness might very easily be soiled on a patrol that, from necessity, camps in the swamp after weary weeks of travelling through dense river flats; or in scaling precipitous gorges to reach a tribe perched high on a ridge of a 13,000 ft. range.

Then, alas for the flashing sword and p-iistening braid, the epaulettes, impres sive entry and air of command, that Canberra demands.

I am, etc., Pt. Moresby. OLD KHAKI BAGS.

Jan. 20, 1937.

Maior G. A. Harrison and Mr. A. M.

Hemsley have resigned from the board of directors of New Guinea Goldfields Limited. To fill the vacancies Senator H. S. Foil and Mr. N. Cowper have been

appointed directors.