Passengers’ Discomfort

A Protest From New Guinea

Letter to the Editor OENATOR POLL recently pointed out some of the inconveniences and ano malies of the time-table to which the mail vessels run in their trips through New Guinea. May I point out one or two further instances where the comfort and convenience of passengers has been tot ally ignored.

Like Senator Foil, I wish it understood that the officers and crew of the ships are not to be blamed as I have invariably found them as helpful to passengers as possible under an unreasonable time table. * It is the practice of vessels calling at Salamaua to put off their inward pas sengers and cargo, proceed to Lae, un load and return to Salamaua to pick up outgoing passengers, usually at some un reasonable hour, such as midnight.

Recently, the Neptuna, following this practice, failed to arrive at the proposed time; and, next day, was still at Lae, having been delayed by trouble with the anchor winch. The intending passengers, however, had sent their luggage to the wharf at 3 p.m., under instructions from Burns, Philp and Co., and given up their rooms at the hotel to incoming visitors.

The result was that were left stranded on wharves, hotel verandahs, and other places, to sleep in their clothes where they could. Salamaua residents, having long since gone to bed, were unaware of their plight. It was pitiable to see mothers with tiny children in their arms who had cried themselves to sleep during the long fruitless wait. These women and children lay exposed to malarial infec tion, in chairs, on a bitter wet night.

Similarly, a few months ago, a vessel following the same routine and time table, arrived at 2 a.m. instead of 10 p.m.-, having been delayed by rain when un loading at Lae. Again, the homeless enp barking passengers were kept waitirig until 2 a.m, before they could get aboard (in heavy rain). In this case, the ship did not get away until 8 or 9 next morn ing as the Customs-Officer, tired of wait ing, had gone home', and refused to budge at the peremptory siren blast.

For the sake of one day’s extra accommo dation and meals, surely a wealthy com pany like Burns, Philp can take the pas sengers-on at Salamaua before leaving for Lae, instead of leaving them at Sala maua to wait around, until midnight or later, before being able to get tired children to bed. Even if the courtesy were extended to the women and children it would be something towards protecting them from discomfort.

As I am a resident, and not a passen ger, my protest is quite disinterested.

I am, etc.,

Mauri.

Seiamaua, 23/7/37.