News Notes From

N. Guinea

Visit by Reconstruction Official

From Our Own Correspondent LAE, August 4.

ON July 30, the Regional Officer of the Ministry of Post-War Reconstruc tion visited Lae, from Port Moresby.

Members of the Lae sub-branch of the RSS & AILA were summoned to hear this officer speak on post-war reconstruc tion.

It is presumed that the RSS & AILA was the only organisation which was available to arrange an attendance for this address, for it was obviously intend ed for all Territorians who are endeavour ing to regain a foothold in the country of their adoption. Quite a number at tended, most of them hoping that they were going to hear something to their advantage.

The speaker (introduced by the Presi dent of the sub-branch) proceeded to out line the Rehabilitation Act as recently passed at Canberra, and then took the Act, section by section. As each section or clause was expounded to the meeting, the reiterated remark followed, “this does not apply to the Territory.”

The rehabilitation of our civilians, who were compulsorily war-evacuated, does not seem to have entered into any de liberation or consideration by the Aus tralian Government. It is contended chat these people are as much entitled to re habilitation benefits as returned soldiers.

Admittedly, they have received war dam age compensation, but it is somewhat ironical that many of the individual miners (and even companies) find it al most impossible to acquire the means of even reaching their holdings, where the use of their war damage compensation commences.

No claim for transport from the coast to holdings in the interior were paid; yet these people are put to endless expense and worry in reaching their holdings.

Our contention is that every means should be employed by the Federal Gov ernment and the Administration to see that the mining community is established on the goldfields in order that gold pro duction (so much needed) may re-com mence at the earliest possible moment.

Many who have literallv battled their way back on to their holdings find them selves without labour, and but little pros pect of obtaining same.

However, to return to the Regional Officer’s peroration. As far as could be gathered, the only clauses which operate outside the mainland of Australia deal With War Service Homes and Vocational Training, and the latter must be under taken through correspondence courses. As regards War Service Homes: judging by the state of post-war housing in Austra lia it would be ultra-prophetical to even make a guess at when a single house could be built in the Territory.

War pensions and gratuities may be omitted, as they automatically operate everywhere. Moratoriums may also be disregarded, as most individuals would be a Methuselah by the time they had been through all the necessary channels to ob tain any benefit under this clause.

Hotel Cecil’S Bar Is Re-Opened

WE again have a licensed hotel in operation here. In 1942, when the invasion came, Mrs. Stewart owned the Cecil Hotel, and the liquor licence

therefor. It was literally blown to pieces during the Jap occupation—it is difficult now to discover even the spot where the two-storey building stood.

Mrs. Stewart, early this year, took over from War Disposals the considerable establishment, some two or three miles out from the port, where service-women were housed; and here she has provided very welcome accommodation. For some months she could not get supplies where with to resume her liquor licence, but supplies came to hand in the July “Mon toro,” the resumption of the liquor licence was officially approved; and, to the manifest satisfaction of the old Ter ritorians and the few remaining troops, the bar has been re-opened.

The establishment is being called the Hotel Cecil; but a move is now afoot to use the material and equipment in the existing place for the building of a mod

ern hotel close to the port and airfield at Lae. A position on the terraces, at the back, is favoured; but if that is not prac ticable, then the new hotel may be built on the flat.

Despite transport difficulties—the hotel and other places are so far out now that we can get around only in jeeps—the new bar already is a social centre, where Territorians get together to tell the grim story of their recent past, and discuss the equally grim story of their apparent future.

Troops Depart

THE “Montoro” arrived at Lae on her southern run on Saturday, August 3, and sailed at midnight in torren tial rain. She took away most of the re maining troops, leaving a handful of RAAF War Graves personnel, and mop pers-up. The absence of uniforms makes

us feel that we are at last in the hands of Civil Administration.

Equipment Wanted

AT the monthly general meeting of the Lae sub-branch of RSS & AILA on August 2, a resolution was passed that the committee should approach the Administration regarding the release of essential equipment, tools, etc., so badly needed by Territorians, and which are still being held up in dumps, etc. It was disclosed that the sub-branch now has 97 enrolled members.

At the Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral in Suva, Fiji, on July 19, Captain T. V.

Moore, of Suva, was married to Miss Enid Lomas, of Auckland, NZ. A reception for 100 guests was later held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Jeffries, in Holland Street, Suva.