Prepare To Wage

Peace!

More and Active Members Needed

by PTA

J?OR the benefit of those who are pre vented from attending meetings in Sydney, the Executive of the Pacific Ter ritories Association has ■ reprinted the report of the last general meeting, held on December 1, and has circularised it among members. The following extract from the circular needs no comment. But Territorians are hereby advised to cut it out and paste it in their hats! It is patently a case of pull together how, or sink separately later.

YOUR Executive feel considerable con cern at the marked falling-off in the attendance of members at the last general meeting. We believe there is a stiff road ahead of former residents of the Territories and, apart altogether from questions of compensation and their immediate problems as evacuees, they have a much bigger problem confronting them in post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation.

People all over the world are now pre paring to “wage peace” and, if Terri torians fail to look after their own inter ests, they can rest assured no one else will do it for them. On the contrary, already there are organisations hard at work on this matter, preparing propa ganda and plans which perhaps, quite unintentionally, are opposed to the inter ests of our members.

No Executive can function without the support of the members they represent, and that support can best be given by frequent contact and, more particularly, by discussion amongst all members at meetings of the Association.

In addition, the income of the Associa tion must be maintained. From time to time we have heavy legal expenses to meet and there are the general expenses of publicity, administration and clerical work. There are many members whose subscriptions are in arrears; and, to these, we appeal for an early settlement of the subscriptions due to May 31 next at £2 per annum.

Meeting With Federal Treasurer

A DELEGATION representing the Association met the Federal Trea surer (Hon. J. B. Chifley) on De cember 31. The meeting was arranged by the Minister for External Territories, Mr. Ward, who, however, was unable to be present.

All matters affecting evacuees, and coming within the provisions of War Damage Insurance Regulations, were explained to Mr. Chifley and discussed thoroughly; the special hardships suf fered by former Territories residents were impressed upon him. Mr. Chifley stated that the various matters put for ward would be investigated, and assured the delegation that he was not unsym pathetic towards formers residents of the Australian Pacific Territories or to the losses suffered by them.