Pacific Islands Club
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
New Organisation To Cultivate Friendly Relations With South Seas
WITH the objects of developing closer relations between the peoples of Australia and New Zealand, and the peoples of the Pacific, and to form a social centre where residents of the Islands may meet the descendants of former residents in the Pacific, an organi sation was formed in Sydney in April to be known as the Pacific Islands Club.
Dr. H. lan Hogbin, lecturer in anthro pology at the University of Sydney and a former research worker in different parfs of the Pacific, presided over a representative attendance.
The majority of those present were formerly members of the Polynesian Club of Sydney. Mr. Eric Ramsden, who acted as provisional secretary to the new organisation, explained that they were seeking an organisation which would have as its objective the study of social conditions, history, traditions, economics, political developments in the Pacific, as well as promoting the friendly social relations with people in the Islands.
Mr. R. W. Robson emphasised that such an organisation was a necessity in Syd ney. “Islands people constantly are pass ing through this city,” he said, “and it would be to the advantage of ail con cerned if we could establish closer rela tions with those visitors and provide them with services of various kinds.” His journeys in various parts of the Pacific, he said, had convinced him that a duo such as suggested would receive the sup port of Islands residents.
“I agree that it is essential we should have an organisation which will look broadly across the Pacific,” declared Mr.
W. Taylor, New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner, who said his Government represented 70,000 Maoris, in addition to the natives of the Cook
Islands and Western Samoa, “I would like to see such a club founded on a solid, firm basis, and it should be con structive in every way,” he added.
On the motion of Mr. F. D. McCarthy, ethnologist at the Australian Museum, seconded by Mr. H. R. Rabone (a former resident of Norfolk and Lord Howe Is lands, whose grandfather was one of the pioneer missionaries in Tonga), it was unanimously decided to form the Pacific Islands Club.
The following officials were elected:— President, Dr. H. lan Hogbin; chief tainess, Mrs. Alfred Page (Lefagaoa ii) . formerly of Apia, Samoa; vice-chief tainess, Mrs. Vika Lamacraft, formerly of Nukualofa, Tonga; treasurer, Mr. W.
H. Fetch, formerly of Pitcairn Island, Rarotonga and Tahiti; executive com mittee, Mr. W. Taylor (New Zealand), Miss E. Blacklock (Samoa), Mr. Rabone, Mrs. Tennant Kelly (University of Syd ney), Mr. F. W. Hennings (Fiji), and two others to be. elected. Annual sub scription was fixed at 5/-.
The committee were requested to formulate rules for presentation to a general meeting of members.
Following a meeting of the executive, arrangements will be made for the first social gathering. It is hoped to have papers and addresses delivered by persons qualified to speak on Pacific affairs, and that visitors from the Islands will be entertained during their visits to Sydney.
Should the movement meet with support, the committee hope also to publish a journal in which the proceedings of the club will be recorded.
Islands residents who wish to get in touch with the club may communicate with the general secretary, care of the Pacific Islands Monthly.
Mr. H. S. Russell, Boarding Inspector at Samarai, Papua, has been appointed Collector of Customs and Postmaster at Port Moresby. He took up his new duties at the end of March.