Mr. Ward and Press
p. 41 · Read in the full issue
Criticism
Letter to the Editor rE “PIM” for February is a fine issue, as is usual. Your magazine is of inestimable value to all who live, or have lived in the Pacific or are other wise interested in Pacific affairs.
I write this letter, however, to express my disgust over the attitude of Mr.
Ward, the Australian Minister for Terri tories, in banning you, for the time being, from visiting the Australian Mandated Territories. I write this as one who was born in the Pacific (Fiji), and lived there for years, and who continues to take a lively interest in Pacific affairs. And, being a lawyer, I am a member of a pro fession which in a special way, knows the meaning and value of real liberty, as part of democracy.
You may, in your articles, in the view of some people, lean more towards Islands planters and settlers, and less to wards the natives themselves; but even that view is questionable. Irf any case, as an individual, you have a right to express your own feelings in such mat ters, whether they accord with IVtr. Ward’s personal views or not.
You have recently visited Fiji, where there is a large native and Indian popu lation, and you have provided your readers with excellent articles arising out of this visits You have a perfect right to visit the 1 Australian Mandated Terri tories, and also provide your readers with articles about them.
The Australian Cabinet (for after all Cabinet as a whole must take respon sibility for the actions of any Minister) has, in this matter, acted in a most un- British-like manner towards you, and the Opposition should take it un in the Com monwealth Parliament. Much more is at stake than the improper interference with the liberty of movement of an Aus tralasian citizen. It is an affront to all true lovers of liberty, and is more in keeping with Nazi and Fascist methods.
It is certainly not democracy.
The fact is that Labour in Australia, as here in NZ, is unduly sensitive to criticism. They want “Yes” men every where, not radicals. That ridiculous atti tude alone must inevitably bring about their downfall.
Yours truly,
C. C. Chalmers.
Auckland, NZ, 21/3/46.
Mr. Harry Williams, son of Colonel and Mrs. Frank Williams, of Suva, who served with the NZEF in the Middle East, has now been discharged. He returned to the Colony by air in early March.