New Guinea Returned

Soldiers

THE New Guinea Branch of the RSSAILA met on July 23, at the rooms of the Combined Services Sub-branch, Barrack Street, Sydney. Mr.

A. J. Gaskin, president of the branch, who is now attached to the American Red Cross in Port Moresby, was in Syd ney on official duties at the time, and presided at the meeting.

Resignations, accepted with regret, came from Dr. E. T. Brennan, vice-pre sident, and Mr. H. L. Downing, honorary secretary. Both remain members of the branch, but unforeseen circumstances prevent their holding executive office.

New elections were: Dr. B. A. Sinclair (well-known Salamaua medical prac titioner), vice-president; Mr. C. W.

Thomas, hon. secretary; Mr. S. R. Young, hon. treasurer.

The Combined Services Sub-branch offered their premises to the New Guinea Branch as semi-permanent quarters, and this generous offer was accepted.

Civilian membership of the New Guinea Branch is increasing and now numbers 85. Members serving with the armed forces now exceed 50, and are increasing, as the activities of the branch become better known to the younger men in New Guinea and outer islands.

Attendance at the meeting was excel lent, seeing that members are scattered far and wide over Australia and other countries. After the meeting, the 50 members present were served with refreshments and entertained by the executive of the Combined Services Sub branch.

From his London retirement recently, Sir Harry Luke (lately Governor of Fiji) spoke on what to do with Axis chiefs after the war: “The ideal place of residence for them . . . would be Falcon Island, in the Pacific. It is a volcanic type and sinks into the sea for a period of years and then rises again.”