Problems Of Carrying On

Annual Meeting of the New Guinea Women's Club

'J'HE New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney has commenced its third year with its members—outwardly at all events—full of hope and high courage.

In December, 1941, and January, 1942, these women were bundled out of their Islands homes at a few hours’ notice, leaving behind them the hundred and one homely things that a woman cher ishes most dearly—and their menfolk.

The majority of them have not seen their men since that time—many of the men are, in fact, still officially classed as ‘missing’’ Few appreciate how far the Territorian is divorced in interests, cul ture and environment (not to mention climate!) from Australians.

Possibly only Pacific Islands residents can realise what it was like for these women to be dumped in Australia, as they were, and when they were—that is, when Australia was primarily concerned about herself and shamelessly disinterested in the unfortunate people who had taken the first full brunt of Nippon’s south wards thrust. Yet complaints from them have been conspicuously absent. The dominant idea of all seems to be to dig in their heels and wait grimly for that day when Australia is over the horizon— just a handy spot for a three months’ leave; when the External Territories Department will be merely a name; and parsimonious Australian Governments, who grudgingly give back-handed “loan allowances,” as unsubstantial a memory as a last year’s bad dream.

IN presenting her report, at the second annual general meeting on July 17, and in appealing for a continuation

of the splendid courage, bom of sorrow and adversity, that had characterised the women evacuees of the Territories, Mrs.

H. H. Page, president of the New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney, said that she could not but feel how wonderful it was that “we knew not what awaited us. God kindly veiled our eyes.” But in spite of the fact that the past year had been an anxious and worrying one for members individually, her report would show that it has been a successful one for the club, both financially and socially.

Since the last annual general meeting, activities have been as follows: In October, it was decided to amalga mate with the New Guinea Comforts Fund, whose committee was asked to join that of the club; and in the same month, Mrs. Coote was given the job of organis ing a Donation Fund —designed to assist New Guinea Servicemen, civilians and their dependents, and prisoners-of-war.

In March, 1943, Mrs. Coote found it necessary to give up this work, but not before she had inaugurated a successful drive for funds, to which the three large firms of Burns Philp & Co., W. R. Car penter & Co. and Bulolo Gold Dredging Co. had each contributed the sum of £lOO. Mrs. Edgell and Mrs. McDonald are now carrying on the work commenced by Mrs. Coote.

During the year, 278 parcels of com forts were sent to New Guinea fighting men, many of whom have written let ters of appreciation. This work is in the charge of Mrs. Perriman.

In October, too, Mrs. Peadon had sug gested visiting New Guinea Servicemen in Sydney hospitals and she carried out

this work until her resignation from th«i club in April, 1943. The work now wai£ being carried on under the leadership oo Mrs. Foxcroft, who had arranged a ros-e* ter whereby two members visit the hos-a< pital each week.

AT a committee meeting in Marchrl: 1943, it was decided to write to thwi Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, in ordeie to ascertain whether the powers-that-bed would consider raising the weekly loam paid to evacuees. The following letteie was despatched on March 9:— The Hon. John Curtin, Prime Minister, Canberra.

Dear Sir,—The members of the New Guineas Women’s Club are desirous of bringing beforen the proper authorities, the present financial plight of ourselves and the other New Guineas wives and mothers, whose menfolk have beens prisoners or missing since the Japanese invadeos the Territory.

When we were evacuated to Australia thoseai of us who were not wives of public servants oro in a position, to fend for ourselves, were givens a sustenance allowance by the Commonwealth!!

Government, in the form of loans or advanceas: conditional upon our undertaking to repay theses moneys when our personal incomes from variousu sources enabled us to do so.

The advances granted were: Wife, £2 pens' week; first child, 10/- per week; other children,rr 5/- per week.

The child-endowment received by families isi being deducted from these allotments and it isi on this money we are supposed to exist withoutu other help.

When our men return to us, if such be oum; good fortune, they will be faced with this accu-u mulated debt to the Commonwealth Govern-n ment.

The Department of External Territories is onlyjli prepared to pay these allowances as and not as allotments, which we feel we be entitled to receive.

This is what we wish to bring to your notice.s: Prices of commodities are rising and rents high,ri: making the sustenance allowance quite inadequate. We would be grateful if younu Government would help us by making thesae advances, grants, rather than repayable loansan

and also to increase them to a reasonable liv ing allowance.

Your consideration of these requests would be much appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

(Sgd.) I. Mcdonald,

Hon. Secretary.

On March 30, Senator J. M. Fraser, for the Prime Minister, replied that the mat ters referred to would be considered and that in the meantime the club should furnish the Department of External Ter ritories with particulars of any cases of hardship among evacuees. After going into the matter, the executive of the club sent the following letter to the Depart ment of External Territories on May s: The Minister, Dept. External Territories.

Dear Sir,—We desire to thank you for your letter of 30th March, 1943.

In reply to your request for a particular case of hardship, we wish to state that every woman and child under the loan system is suffering hardship. The rate is totally inadequate. Most of these women have lost their homes, furni ture, and possessions and must start life afresh.

It is necessary for these people to rent fur nished homes, which consumes all the loan, apart from the question of food and clothing.

We therefore earnestly and respectfully ask for immediate action.

Apart from monetary anxieties, these folk are under the continual shadow of sorrow and strain, not knowing the fate of their loved ones and we feel they are due for special considera tion.

Yours faithfully,

(Sgd.) I. Mcdonald,

May 5, 1943. Hon. Secretary.

Senator Fraser replied on June 2, as follows: — Dear Madam, — I desire to refer to your letter of sth May, 1943, and other correspondence concerning the representations that have been submitted by members of the New Guinea Women’s Club in regard to financial assistance that has been granted to evacuees from the Territory of New Guinea with particular reference to the rela tives of the men of that Territory who have been prisoners of war or missing since the Japanese invaded Rabaul in January, 1942. The matter of the rate of allowance granted to evacuees generally from the Territories of Papua and New Guinea has been reviewed and approval has been given for the following maxi mum rates to be applicable in future: —

In the case of children the above allowances are subject to a deduction of an amount equal to Commonwealth Child Endowment received in respect of any child.

These rates will be applicable in future where the circumstances of any case warrant the pay ment of the full evacuee allowance. The repre sentations that you have made that such allow ance in the case of the relatives of prisoners of war should be by way of grants and not by repayable loan have also been considered and I will advise you further in regard to that aspect of the matter at an early date.

Yours faithfully,

(Sgd.) J. M. Fraser,

Minister for External Territories.

Finances

rpHB credit balance of the club in July, JL 1942. was £lO9/18/11. Credit balance as at July 17, 1943, was £603/15/8 a substantial and encouraging increase.

As well as contributions to the Donation Fund, the Entertainment Committee, led by Mrs. Maclean, assisted by Mesdames Edgell and Foxcroft, has turned in £139/11/5 —proceeds of eight social func tions held during the year.

Disbursements included £5O donated to the Red Cross, £lO to the Australian Comforts Fund, £B2/6/2 towards helping

New Guinea women and £l4/4/2 for hospital comforts.

Donation Fund Mtdc: paof fhp nnint tVmt R £-. PAGE stressed the point that this fund is there for those who find the financial road top rough Come to us and give us the privilege of sharmg your trouble If we can help we will gladly do so and you may rest assured that everything will be treated in strictest confidence. Money is set aside for this purpose—that is what it is for. It is hard enough to experience continual mental strain without suffering financial embarrassment as well.” ... , Special credit was given to Mrs. Adams, who has given yoeman service as treasurer of the club; and to Mrs. Ormonde, who has been responsible for all floral decorations and for the posies that are a feature of all club functions.

Thanks and appreciation were expressed to Mrs. Cameron, of the Feminist Club, for her wonderful help and advice

at all times; Miss Grant, who has audited the books every three months since the inception of the club; Mrs.

Tudor, who represents the “Pacific Islands Monthly, for her excellent rep orts of the club’s activities through -out the year; Mr. Leake, for his courtesy in making a room available for our committee meetings; and to Mr. Fox- C roft, for his interest and material assist anrp q f a n times '

Office-Bearers, 1943-44

T v! was J?. eld • th ® Feminist cldb Rooms King Street, Sydney, and was attended by 53 members The following office-bearers were elected for the year 1943-44* y , , ’

Patron: Lady McNicoll.

President: Mrs. H. H. Page.

Vice-presidents: Mesdames N. Foxcroft and c H R Maclean .

Hon Secretary: Mrs. I. McDonald,

(Continued on Page 28)

Per week Man or woman unaccompanied .. .. £2 10 0 Man and wife 3 15 0 Man and wife with one child ... 400 Man and wife and two children ... 450 5/- for each additional child.

Woman and one child 350 Woman and two children 3 15 0 Woman and three children 4 0 0 5/- for each additional child.

Hon. Treasurer: Mrs. H. Adams.

Hon. Auditor; Miss Grant.

Committee; Mesdames McMullen, Or monde, Allen, Sedges, EckhofT, Edgell, Saunders, Kilner, Burke, and Miss Mills.