Chinese Women From New

Guinea

WHAT has become of the Chinese community of New Guinea? Before the invasion, there were the better part of 2,000 Chinese in the Territory— the majority in the Chinese section of Rabaul, and the remainder scattered in the other towns, in small trading groups.

No matter where he is, the Chinese hates the Jap, and Chinese communities in the democratic countries throughout the world have made common cause with the European nations against the Jap anese section of the Axis.

New Guinea has been no exception.

Most of the Chinese there are Austra lian citizens, having been born in New Guinea in the last 25 years, and never having seen any other country. They are mostly educated, and speak English.

They have no love for the stealthy invader of the Pacific countries.

When the Jap war came, the Chinese women and children were evacuated along with the Europeans, and the Chinese men made common cause with the Australians in New Guinea. The older men came south, while all those young enough entered the various fight ing services.

In an article, “Transplanted”, in the “Missionary Review” of May, Miss Mary Jenkins, late of the Chinese School, Rabaul, describes how Chinese women and children are faring in Australia.

She notes that about 120 of them are living in a large, two-storied building in a Sydney suburb; and, although their conditions are vastly different from what thqy were in New Guinea, they are cheer fully making the best of them. They are being cared for by the Australian Government and the Mission organisa tions.

Under all their new experiences (says Miss Jenkins) there is a poignant sad ness and the eternal questions arise, “Where are they? How are they far ing?” All have left their husbands in New Guinea; most have sisters, parents, relatives there. One woman is here with only some of her children; the others were at school in Rabaul and no one has had news of them since January.