Treated by

How Evacuees Are Treated by Australia's Officials

fTIHE Australian Department of External X Territories is not only paying the fares of all officers who are return ing to the Territories, to enter the ser vice of the Provisional Government—it also is paving the fares of wives and ail children lip to 16 years of age, and the freight and cartage on all household effects and furniture.

This decision was made some time ago, because “the circumstances under which officers and their families evacuated the Territories were exceptional, and it would appear reasonable that their return to the Territories be a charge against public funds.”

That is right and proper. But it only throws into greater relief the indifference and cruelty with which Mr. Ward and his officials are treating the non-official

civilians. The few who are allowed to return must pay their own fares and expenses. But the great majority are not allowed to return; their means of livelihood are being withheld, their labour is being demoralised and dissi pated; and they are being given a beg garly 40/- or 50/- per week, as an “advance” against whatever War Damage compensation they may be allotted.

Not long ago, the wife of a big New Guinea planter (now missing—but he has left property worth at least £30,000) pro tested to a certain Territories official in Sydney that she and her three children could not possibly live on the 55/- per week which he generously allowed her as an “advance.”

“Well, plenty of working women here have got to do it—you have a try at it,” retorted the little gentleman.

Miss Joan Philippa Bailey, only daughter of Mrs. Lilian Bailey, of Suva, Fiji, married Mr. M. D. ffrench-Desmond in Suva on October 10.