Pacific Territories

Association

Evacuees in Australia Form Organisation for Mutual Protection and Help

Pacific Territories Association, which is a mutual-help organisation of evacuees from the Pacific Territories, was formed at a public meeting held in Sydney on May 14. The meeting was called by an advertisement, and there was a large gathering in the YMCA Hall, Pitt Street. The objects of the Association were set out, and an Executive Committee was appointed, to give effect to them.

THE chair was taken temporarily, on behalf of the convenors, by Mr. R.

W. Robson, editor and publisher of the “Pacific Islands Monthly”.

“This meeting,” said Mr. Robson, “is the result of a spontaneous movement among evacuees, who feel that they should combine in one organisation for the following purposes:—

Three Main Objects

“First: They feel that occasions arise when they need assistance and protec tion in connection with the conditions under which they are living in Austra lia. Manv, formerly enjoying comfort and security in their Islands homes, now suddenly find themselves, through no fault of their own, without either secur ity or comfort.

“They are not squealing—in view of all the circumstances, there has been extraordinarily little squealing bv evacu ees—but they do feel that they are entitled to reasonable consideration and all the assistance that Australia can give them: and it is feared that (in a number of cases, this may be due to misunderstanding) they have not received the treatment to which they feel thev are entitled. If we can form a strong and fearless organisation, individual casec of hardshin can be handled better bv the organisation than by the indi vidual concerned.

“In the second nlace. there is need for an organisation like this to deal with the very vexed and difficult subject of comnensation for war damage. It is nrobable that every person evacuated from Panua and New Guinea is much noorer as a result of that evacuation.

Few of these peonle feel that they can not justly lodge a claim for comoensa tion. A number of official nromises of compensation were made at the time the evacuation took nlace. Since then, there has been noticed a growing tendency on the nart of the officials concerned to make sharper and ever sharner defini tions of what constitutes war damage, and many people now are beginning to feel that the compensation unon which they .had counted to re-establish them in civil fife is likely to disappear into thin air.

“There is looting, for example. Is loot ing war damage? This is a matter con cerning which more will be said later — I mention it now merely to indicate how necessary it is that the evacuees stand together in such matters for the protec tion of thmr individual interests.

“Then there is a third way in which it is believed that an organisation of this kind will be generally helnful.

Sooner or later the Japanese are going to be driven away, and it will be pos sible for civilians to re-occupy the Ter ritories. We believe that we shall have plenty of little troubles in these Pacific Territories between the time that civilian re-occupation becomes possible, and the

military administration is replaced by a civilian administration.

Relations With Government

“The plan to set up this organisation must not be regarded as criticism, in any sense, of what the Australian Gov ernment has done. There are those who point out that evacuees’ claims upon Australia, for help in the shape of monetary assistance, are based as much upon sentiment as upon actuality. Resi dents of Papua and New Guinea were not Australian taxpayers and their legal claim upon Australia consequently is not easy to define. But those Territories were not self-governing communities.

For better or worse, Australia accepted responsibility for their government and welfare, and Australia now cannot be allowed to ignore the obligation to see them through this most critical period. We must admit that a number of over worked officials, without precedents to snide them, or machinery to assist them, in this emergency, have done wonders in getting some sort of order out of the chaos that threatened to develop.

“But many individuals are suffering a sense of grievance—inevitable, in the cir cumstances. I believe that if the office bearers of the proposed Association go about their task tactfully, the Common wealth officials will be glad of their assistance, and in turn will co-operate with the Association.

Four Sections Of Evacuees

‘ TITHE convenors, in planning this ]i organisation, regarded the evacuees from the Territories as falling nat urally into four sections or communities —namely, the public servants, the plant ers, the miners and the commercial interests or traders. In three directions to which I have referred —conditions of life in Australia, claims for compensa tion for war damage, conditions of civi lian re-occupation of the Territories—the interests of these four classes appear to be as one, and we believe that they can make common cause within this proposed organisation.

“But it is recognised also that in some directions there may be a tendency for conflict to develop between the different sections. We hope that these various matters will be smoothed out by tactful handling—we ask these people of New Guinea and Papua to remember that the things which possibly may divide them are small and insignificant compared with the much more important things upon which they must stand united and prepared to take united action. Remem ber, the people of the Territories, now so

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tragically dependant upon the goodwill of Australia, have no representation in the Australian Parliament.

Future Of Administrations

“It is expected that Territories condi tions in the future will be much changed.

Vast masses of men are going to move through those Territories in the course of this war. The natives are going to be affected profoundly by the things that are happening in connection with the war.

“Above all, we must expect far-reach ing changes in the administration. In the past these have been two separate Territories administered, so to speak, in water-tight compartments, even the per sonnel of their public services kept strictly apart. That was because Papua was an Australian Territory and the New Guinea Territory was a Territory man dated to Australia by the League of Nations. It is very clear that New Guinea and Papua will be administered in the future as one Australian Terri tory.

Solomons And New Hebrides

“The political and constitutional changes which we foresee may not stop at Papua and New Guinea. It is quite probable, as part of the post-war re arrangement of Pacific affairs that the responsibilities of Great Britain in con nection with the administration of the British Solomon Islands and the New Hebrides, will be passed over to Austra lia. That is something which has re ceived academic consideration on a num ber of occasions but in the past 20 years no one seemed to have sufficient energy or knowledge of the subject to bring the plan to a head.

“It has been rather an anomaly that, while all the trade of the British Solo mons. and the currency in use there, should be Australian, the administration should be controlled from Whitehall.

The same applies in a large degree to the British share of the administration

of the Condominium of the New Heb rides. If there is to be British adminis tration in that Group in future, it is reasonable to suppose that it will be Australia who will share the responsi bility of Government with France, rather than Great Britain.

“These are matters concerning which it is idle to speculate at this stage of the war. Nevertheless, they are matters which deserve the consideration of such an organisation as we hope that this will prove to be, and that is why they are mentioned now, and why evacuees from the Solomons and New Hebrides—a number of whom are now in Australia— have been invited to join the Associa tion.”

Tribute To Convenors

The chairman paid a tribute to the work done by the convenors (Messrs. V.

Pennefather, C. W. Kirke, D. Mackin non, E. A. James and J. Clay) in

arranging the meeting. Mr. Kirke, un

fortunately, had been called away to

Queensland on business.

THE chairman read the following

message from Mr. Kirke:— My object in planning this meeting was to weld the residents of the Pacific Territories into one strong organisation, with a view to our helping each other, placing our disabilities before the Federal Government and seeking sympathetic treatment in this, our time of exile.

To-day there is in Australia an army that is without leadership, that is little cared for, and which feels that it Is unwanted—we are that army of evacuees. In the same way that our ancestors came to Australia, we have gone for ward into these little-known, uncivilised and undeveloped countries in the Pacific, and we have helped materially in the development of a new and important section of the Empire. Many made the supreme sacrifice; but always there were others to come forward and take their places. We do feel that we are entitled to consideration.

The organisation we have planned can and will play an important part in Pacific affairs— but only with your sincere and loyal co-opera tion. I believe that the big trading companies, like Burns, Philp and Co., W. R. Carpenter and Co., Steamships Trading Co., recognise that they owe us much, and that they will co-operate with us in our general purposes. I beg of you, do not let our broad outlook be jeopardised by self-interest. We must stand together in seek ing a more liberal interpretation than appar ently is proposed of the regulations governing the payment of compensation for war damage.

We may have to fight as one organisation to protect the rights and privileges of one par ticular section of our people.

Especially I would like the organisation to immediately undertake the registration of every citizen of the Islands, male and female, who is able to work, with a statement of their qualifi cations, so that they may be placed in positions, and given a chance to do their part in Aus tralia’s war effort.

I regret my unavoidable absence and I wish you a successful meeting. Salaams.

Association Is Formed

rE following motion was moved by

Mr. C. A. M. Adelskold (New

Guinea); —

That this meeting forms an Association of Residents of, and Persons Interested in, the Pacific Territories which have been affected by war conditions, to be known as the Pacific Territories Association, and the objects of which are:— (a) To protect the interests of members who are evacuees from their homes in the Territories owing to war conditions. (b) To assist members in presenting and prosecuting their claims for compensa tion for war damage. (c) To give all reasonable assistance to members in connection with the civil re-occupation of the Territories.

Mr. Adelskold said that one of their most difficult tasks would be to assist in the change-over from military to civil

administration—he thought that within

six months after the war ended they should be back again in the Territories,

picking up the threads of their old civil jobs. It would not be an easy matter— the civilians probably would have to fight every inch of the way, just as resi dents did after the last Great War, and in that the Association could give much help.

Seconding the motion, Mr. E. A.

James, of Port Moresby, Papua, brought three points before the notice of the meeting:— 1. General Assistance.—There were many minor matters —as well as a host of major matters —in which the Associa tion no doubt could assist members. One, for instance, was the rationing of cloth ing—most Islands evacuees reached Aus tralia with very little of their personal effects and if they were restricted in their purchases of clothing hardship would probably result. 2. Insurance. —The question of civil fire risk should be investigated. He understood that in cases where fires occurred on abandoned plantations, etc., the damage was not covered either by the War Risk Insurance or by ordinary commercial insurance.

What, too, was the position of those who were unable to make a complete, detailed inventory of their losses when they claimed war damage?

Provision should be -made on assessors’ panels for a non-official representative from the Territory affected —it would be a beneficial move for all concerned if such a representative were nominated by the Association. 3. Repatriation.—lndications are that during the initial period, when Islands people return to their homes in the Ter ritories, they will have to guard their interests jealously—otherwise they will suffer, perhaps far more even than they do now.

There would have to be a change in the system of administration, continued Mr. James. For years, New Guinea and Papua had been governed by regulations.

During the war these regulations, of necessity, would increase in volume.

“After the war we must introduce into the Territories a better system of legis lation,” he said. “The various interests must have representation, must have some say in the legislation and the way in which we are going to be governed in the future. If we don’t get it then, we never shall.

“To-day, we Islands folk are scattered all over Australia; a year hence we shall be scattered even wider—therefore, we must band together now and in this new Association we have an organisation that can speak for every one of us,” he concluded.

In the absence of Mr. D. Mackinnon (Solomon Islands), Mr. V. Pennefather spoke briefly in support of the motion.

Mr. R. A. Laws, well-known New Guinea merchant, said that Islands resi dents generally would benefit by the formation of the proposed Association— particularly what the organisation could do in the direction of gaining equitable compensation for war damage.

He feared that when Islands people were allowed to return to Papua and New Guinea there still would be a ten dency to try and run the Territories by the former “red-tape” and “old school tie” methods. The sooner that was eli minated the better.

Mr. Laws referred to remarks made by the chairman that the proposed Associa tion was not antagonistic to the Federal Government—but it was his experience, he said, that Islands people received very little from the Government that they did not have to fight for. Through a strong Association, they would have a better chance of fighting their battles

successfully.

Mr. G. Butterworth (New Guinea) asked how many Territories residents had been evacuated from Papua and New Guinea. The chairman replied that he thought the figure would be between 2,000 and 3,000. Mr. R. Donaldson (Papua) put the number at 2,300 men, women and children.

Mr. J. Pollard (NG), an official of the Miners’ Union of New Guinea, told the meeting that he had attended an Aus tralian Miners’ Convention, since his arrival in Australia. The miners placed on record five resolutions which later were transmitted to Senator Fraser (Minister in Charge of Islands Terri tories). They were: — 1. That suitable work be found in Aus tralia for evacuated New Guinea miners, most of whom were returned soldiers and over military age. 2. Inquiry should be made to ascertain if war damage covered looting and loss through plant deterioration. 3. That gold held by the Government on behalf of NG miners be covered by war damage insurance. 4. That gold royalty refunds be paid as soon as possible. 5. That a moratorium be declared for the duration of the war covering the recognised goldfields of New Guinea.

Mr. Pollard added that he brought these resolutions before the notice of the meeting to show that at least some sec tions of the Australian people were interested in their present plight and were sympathetic to their cause.

Mrs. O’Brien (New Guinea) asked that the Association make urgent representa tions to the Federal Government for the rescue of some 170 men from Wewak and Madang districts, who “went bush” when the Japs landed on the mainland of New Guinea and who still were in the jungle. The chairman said that satisfactory news of the Madang men could be expected.

Mr. Tex Thomas (NG) queried whe ther the proposed title of the organisa tion, Pacific Territories Association, was sufficiently broad in scope. The chair man said that several names had been considered, but the convenors thought the one chosen would be most suitable.

Incorporating “Pacific” it gave the or ganisation a South Seas wide scope, and the word “Territories” inferentially brought in New Guinea and Papua.

There being no further discussion, the motion was carried unanimously.

The chairman then moved the follow ing motion: — That all those present agree to become members of the Association.

This was seconded by Mr. Harold Tay lour, of New Guinea.

At this juncture, Mr. W. Quinn (New Guinea) raised the point whether the suggested subscription of 15/- per quar ter was excessive.

Mr. Robson said the executive would be given power to vary this amount in individual cases as they thought neces sary. Members, not money, was the prime consideration—if an Islands resi dent could not afford, under present circumstances, to pay the full amount, he felt sure the executive would accept him as a member if he sent along a smaller sum.

Office-Bearers

The following office-bearers were elected:— President: R. A. Laws, New Guinea.

Vice-president: E. A. James, Papua.

Treasurer: Gerald Smith, Papua.

Organising secretary; C. A. M. Adel skold, New Guinea.

Committee. New Guinea. Papua.

Planters .. G. Renton. T. L. Sefton.

Miners ... G. Moen. Capt. Alexander.

Commercial N. Nelson. J. R. Clay.

Mr. A. Gaskin was appointed auditor.

Womens Committee

To assist the executive in matters con nected with the living conditions of women evacuees, the following sub-com mittee of women was appointed; Mrs. M.

Costello (Rabaul), Mrs. D. Plumb (Wau), Mrs. Nicholas (Port Moresby), Mrs.

Jewell (Port Moresby), Mrs. Sanders (Solomon Islands), Mrs. Bourne (Solo mon Islands).

Subscriptions, Etc.

Mr. Laws, as incoming president, then took charge of the meeting, and the following motions were passed unani mously:— That the Executive be instructed to prepare a set of rules, for submission to another gen eral meeting; to open a Bank Account and

receive and bank Subscriptions in the name of the Association; to appoint selected members of the Executive to operate upon said Bank Account: to appoint an Organising Secretary who shall be, ex officio, a member of the Executive; and to use the funds of the Asso ciation in carrying out, without delay, and at the discretion of the Executive, the purposes and objects of the Association.

That the subscription to the Association shall be 15/- per quarter, payable in advance, pro vided that the Executive shall have power to vary this subscription in individual cases, as they think necessary.

The majority of those present imme diately handed in their names, addresses and subscriptions, and the Association

began to function, as such, forthwith.

The chairman asked that all Terri tories residents who wish to become members should communicate with the secretary at the Association’s address. (See page 6.)