Defences

A Demand For

Public Meetings in New Guinea

PUBLIC meetings are being held in New Guinea to demand, first, that some lead be given to the European population as to the steps to be taken to defend themselves in the event of a war suddenly breaking out; second,. to urge upon Australia the need for annex ing New Guinea, and thus putting an end to the disadvantageous terms of the Mandate.

Speakers at the meetings, especially in Rabaul and Wau, showed a typical Aus tralian unwillingness to sit quiet and do nothing when they believe there is a call to action.

The driving force behind this move ment is Mr. H. T. Allan, president of the

New Guinea Mining Association, who had a distinguished record as a soldier, and who has a reputation for fighting hard for whatever he believes in. He was ably supported in the Wau meeting bv Mr. Harold Taylour and Hon. Norman Neale. Those who were associated in the Rabaul meeting with Mr. Allan were Hon.

R. L. Clark, president State Branch, R.S. and S.I.L.A. (chairman), Mr. Dyson Hore- Lacy (vice-president Planters’ Associa tion), Mr. W. L. Heron (R.S. & S.I.L.A.

Executive), Mr. R. H. Forsyth (secretary Property Owners’ Association), Mr. S. E.

Costelloe (secretary Citizens’ Association), and Messrs. E. G. Mac Adam, W. R. B.

Thomas and S. Farnsworth.

Mr. Allan And Government

House

A LITTLE bird whispers that Mr. Allan is out of favour at Government House, Rabaul. His visit to Can berra, to demand action in regard to the Wau-Salamaua road, although it got re sults, was resented in high official circles; and his activity in regard to New Guinea defence needs is thought, by some, to be a reflection upon the wisdom and vision of those responsible for administration.

“Feeling has been pretty warm,” says one correspondent, “but may calm down, now that Mr. Feldt has become president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Where Mr. Allan was indifferent to the tender feelings of Government House, Mr.

Feldt, being an official, naturally will work along more constitutional lines.”