Teopicalities

A NOW defunct magazine called “Star of the Pacific” (published in Suva, Fiji) ran an advertisement in its Christmas number, 1908, calculated to make the mouths of every thirsty islander water in these days of war shortages.

Christmas hampers were offered for sale by the firm of Robbie and Company, Ltd. The hampers contained: 3 bottles of whisky, 1 bottle of rum, 1 bottle of port, 1 bottle of sherry, 3 bottles of stout and 3 bottles of lager beer.

The price (believe it or not) was 31/6 delivered free.

ACCORDING to the Right Rev. Miguel Angel de Olano, Titular Bishop of Lagina and Vicar Apostolic of Guam, who, with Brother Jauregui, recently arrived in Australia from prison camp in Japan, the Japanese love Aus tralia and pine to “liberate” us from the heavy British, yoke.

The Bishop said that when the Japs arrived in Guam, in 1941, they behaved themselves on the first day, but later looted and committed many atrocities.

With 600 Americans —marines, sailors, soldiers, civilians, women and children— the priests were herded into the cathedral on Guam. Later, they were put into the hold of a ship and taken to Japan. The civilians were imprisoned in Kobe but the priests were taken to Tokio where they appealed to the Spanish Ambassa dor. In September, 1943, they were sent to India in an exchange ship and they have now- arrived in Australia on the return journey back to Guam —now again in American hands.

The Bishop said that when they were in Tokio the most noticeable shortage was iron—the Japs are apparently miss ing their imports of scrap-iron, formerly provided by the Allies. All iron, includ ing iron beds, letter boxes, park benches and railings, were going to Jap war factories'. ..

The priests said that the hospitals attached to prison camps in Japan were very well run; they did not know much about prisoner of war camps, but they had reason to believe that prisoners in camps in Kobe and Chikoku Island were treated humanely. m , .

The Bishop said the best day in Tokio was February 18, 1943 —the day Dolittle’s Americans bombed the city from “Shan gri-la.”

NEW GUINEA police-boys were the spearhead of the recent Australian landing at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. Some of them had been on the spot for two weeks before the Army arrived. Melbourne “Herald’s” correspon dent in that area, wrote; “Australians making their camp in the tropical rain were surprised to hear the bugle sounding “Retreat” and “Reveille” night and morning, and to see the boys’ ceremonial drill for raising and lowering of the Blue Ensign they had planted on their arrival.

“They belonged to the Royal Papuan Constabulary, and are New Guinea natives. Some belong to New Britain and others to the wild Sepik River district.

“The sergeant-major has had 21 years’ service.

“Since the war in the Pacific they have been busy against the Japanese. It is hard to fault their discipline, bearing and drill.” * WHEN I first visited the Solomons, I marvelled at the speed with which the Americans were developing

bases; and at the manner in which air fields, wharves, roads, etc., were conjured into being almost overnight.

Now, wherever I travel in both Solo mons and Gilberts, I marvel as much at the casual efficiency with which bases no longer needed are being dismantled and moved up nearer the front line. Camps which a few weeks ago had every appear ance of permanence are to-day mere skeletons.

But, if the dismantling process is swift, it is also thorough. Men who operate the American salvage services are evi dently trained not to overlook small eco nomies. “Look after the nuts and bolts and the bulldozers will look after them selves” might almost be their motto.

As one British officer said to me, after watching them closing down a base for which they had no further use owing to the swift movement of the war north wards; “I almost expected them to roll up the airstrip and tow it away in a special dry-dock. The only thing they leave behind is the mud.”— HAROLD

Cooper.

* EVERY “PIM” has much to say about “indentured” labour (previously called “contract” labour).

Is it not puzzling that at the confer ence in Sydney on December 1 and 2 none of the “Fuzzy-wuzzy Angels” was represented? According to the new sys tem, we are not allowed to call them Boys, Kanakas, Coons, Blacks, Boongs or other “contemptible” terms, but natives, or better still, “Fuzzy-wuzzy Angels.”

However, there is quite a respectable number of boys—pardon me. natives —in the Royal Papuan Native Constabulary, who perform essential services gallantly; and there are supposed to be no less than 38,000 natives working under the con temptible indenture system in Papua.

What about a Yes-or-No plebiscite, on the same plan as the Australian Referen dum of some months ago?

Every native man (not “boy”) and even woman (not “mary”), who had been working for at least three years under the old system should have the right to vote for or against its abolition. With out being one of the prophets, I should

like to predict an overwhelming majority for the continuation of much-maligned indenture. After all, the natives know best when they happy and satisfied.

Indentured labourers were quite sure of their salary, daily rations, hospital treat ment, etc. They knew also that the Gov ernment was protecting them and giving them a fair deal. They were educated to cleanliness, hygiene, discipline, regular work and meals, and the spirit of com radeship.

In many cases, the strongest motive for a labour term was the hope of earning the money or trade goods required for the “bride-price.”

When we compare this with Jacob, of the Old Testament, who had to work 14 years in order to marry his sweetheart, Rachel, it seems to be very easy for the native. He spends only three years at work so that he may conquer the hearts of his future parents-in-law and other relatives who are entitled to payment at

the wedding ceremony.-

“Pat.”

THE argument about “who was the first woman on the Morobe goldfield (New Guinea)” breaks out at inter vals. Some say it was Mrs. Doris Booth —others, that it was Mrs. Muller, All are right.

Mrs. Alice Allen Innes, who was “cor rected” by Mr. Bishton recently, explains that she said that Mrs. Booth was “the first woman to cross the Morobe ranges.”

Mr. Bishton says that Mrs. Muller was the first woman on the Kainde-Edie Creek goldfield. Mrs. Innes replies that that is correct—Mrs. Booth had entered the Morobe goldfield two years before Mrs.

Muller visited Edie Creek; but Mrs. Booth went first to the Bulolo Gorge area, and did not visit Edie Creek until after the arrival there of Mrs. Muller. The belief is widely held, however, that Mrs. Booth was the first woman on Edie Creek —a Sydney “Sun” Quiz made that statement recently.

The following members of the Metho dist Mission have returned to Papua: Rev. J. R. Andrew; Nurses B. Coulson, N.

L. Pitty, E. M. Twyford; Sisters D. Colt heart, F. J. Pearce, T. Richardson; and Mrs. E. A. Clarke. Miss Coltheart has gone to Misima; the other appointments will be left undecided until it is clear where the staff can be best used.