Pacific Islands Society
p. 49 · Read in the full issue
A DIVERSIFIED programme was ar ranged by the Pacific Islands Society for members at the monthly meet ing at the Carlton Hotel in Sydney on July 30. The speaker and guest of honour was Mr. R. W. Robson, FRGS, editor of “Pacific Islands Monthly”, who spoke on “Japan’s South Seas Dilemma”.
A series of colour films taken in Tahiti, Samoa, and Fiji were screened by Mr.
L. S. Gumming, who is well-known in Fiji. Noho Toki sang a group of Maori songs.
Mrs. E. Marie Irvine announced that women members of the Society had ob tained such a response to their appeal for warm clothing and other comforts for the Pacific Islanders with the Free
French Forces in Sydney that the whole detachment had been equipped. However, as more de Gaulle volunteers are ex pected, the work, will be continued. “The Tahitians, in particular, have felt the cold in Australia,” she said, “and have been most appreciative of what we have been able to do for them.”
Guests included Mr. Robin Band, a graduate of Cambridge University, who was until recently on the administrative staff at Christmas Island (in the Indian Ocean), Lady Hunter and Miss Elizabeth Hunter, of Rotorua, NZ, and Miss Estelle Katene, of Ngati-Poneka, Wellington, NZ.
Mr. F. C. James, formerly of Victoria, has taken up duties at the AWA radio station at Rabaul, New Guinea.