Have Happy Meeting

Polynesia and N. Guinea Have Happy Meeting

IN spite of all Sydney could produce in the way of bad weather—inches of rain and icy cold blasts—the Poly nesian Club concert, in aid of the New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney, on March 14, lacked nothing ,in infectious gaiety and charm.

But, besides the weather, which was vile, and the entertainment, which was, as usual, excellent, the occasion was unique on another count; it was probably the first time on record that Melanesia met Polynesia under the same roof, so that the one section of Pacific residents could lend a helping hand to the other set.

The Melanesian territories are places of rigid social tabus; the Polynesian islands tend more towards the other extreme, of being lands where “anything goes.” It was interesting, therefore —at least from an observer’s point of view— to find them together on the common meeting ground of Sydney, and in such happy circumstances.

The weather and the prevailing colds and ’flu thinned the ranks of both audience and performers; John Young, too, of Norfolk Island, who usually fills the job of compere-performer with amazing energy and high spirits, had his style somewhat cramped by a smashed arm —result of getting between a moving lorry and a brick wall.

At the conclusion of the show, Mrs, I.

McDonald, secretary of the Women’s Club, thanked Mr. Len. Moran and mem bers of the Polynesian Club for the enjoyment they had given their audience, and expressed a wish that although this had been the first occasion of the two clubs’ meeting, she and fellow-members of the Women’s Club hoped that it would be by no means the last. Mr. Moran suitably replied.