War-trapped Island Boys

Do Well in Australia

F interest to all observers of the Pacific Islanders ’ approach to European civilisation, is the report of Mr. H. E.

Hurst, one-time Victorian Scout Commis sioner, who has in his care a party of five Nauruans and one New Britain boy, who became stranded in Australia when war came to the Pacific.

The Nauruans were with Mr. Hurst at the time of Pearl Harbour; the story of the New Britain boy, “Nelsonwas told in the August, 1942, issue of the I ‘PIM.”

He came from the little village of Nor dup, near Rabaul, and was a wireless telegraphist. When the Japs invaded the Mandated Territory Nelson assisted a party of Europeans to escape and was brought along, too, by a patrol officer.

He subsequently was taken to Geelong and entered the care of Mr. Hurst.

This is Mr. Hurst’s report. rpHE five Nauruans, with me when X. Japan made their return impossible, had to go to work to support them selves. This meant that I could no longer exercise my usual strict control.

They were thrown upon their own resources, and forced to live a more or less normal city life at a time when it was one of considerable irresponsibility.

I told the boys frankly of the position and instructed them to conduct their own affairs in exactly the same way as they would have done had they returned to Nauru. In a sense I was glad of so unexpected an opportunity of testing the effectiveness of their training. I felt that the Australian outlook on Nauru was so hopeless that if these boys made a mess of things here it would not much matter. But, if they could stand up to the stress of life here, it would disprove conclusively the contentions of my numerous critics.

The boys training for the Nauru Co operative Store joined co-operative stores here. The woodworker was placed with a leading building contractor. The sheet metal worker became associated with the International Harvester Co. on munition work suited to his art. The radio tech nician went into a radio workshop. All have done splendidly and have earned the approval and respect of employer and employee alike.

All of them have to work long hours, and do all their own domestic chores.

Yet I have never once heard a com plaint, or detected any sign of their work becoming irksome. On the contrary, they seem to revel in it. These, you will recall, are just a sample of the young Nauruans who are described by Nauru officials as incapable of sustaining an effort, either physical or mental.

They welcomed the New Britain boy, to share with them on equal terms, and from the outset have conducted their own affairs. They have a weekly meet ing, when they deal with all matters affecting their conduct and progress. I have always been opposed to forcing our individualism upon native people. You can appreciate my delight, therefore, when the boys agreed amongst them selves to share equally in their earnings.

The boy at the Harvester works might, with overtime, get £7 per week, while the radio boy gets 30/- per week. They both. however, hand their pay envelopes to their secretary .(the accountancy student) who gives them 15/- for clothing and incidentals. The collective balance is used to defray their expenses, as they are now in no way dependent upon the Government. From their savings they have already invested some £2OO in war loans.

Mr. Halligan, of the Department of External Territories, gave them freedom of action in regard to their pleasures and entertainments. He took a risk: but, so far, it has been justified. The boys

choose their companions wisely and show no desire to enter European homes.

Contrary to the anticipations of many, they have not become “Europeanised” in the sense that they would prefer to remain in Australia. They know that there is not one thing they value here that they cannot have on Nauru. They also know of the many things, such as selfishness and greed, that they do not want to have on the island.

The boy from New Britain does well in radio practice. He is a fine, keen lad with any amount of ability and I’m sure that his progress here has amazed many New Guinea Government officers.