Tribute to Terrifrorians

Letter to the Editor THE “Montoro” sailed from Brisbane for New Guinea on Saturday, Sep tember 7. It carried a number of evacuees back to the Islands. Of the original number of Territorians who were evacuated to Brisbane early in 1942, a number still remain. Many, how ever. have decided to reside permanently in Queensland.

It was my privilege and pleasure to have met a few Territorians in Brisbane; and during my many conversations with them, discovered none belonging to what politicians call the “slave-driving” or “blackbirding” class. I found them a friendly, tolerant and sympathetic people, with marked loyalty to the Aus tralian Commonwealth.

I met by few of the gentler sex. But they were gentle; and though they had lived in the tropics for some years, were no less refined and feminine than their sisters of the mainland. Indeed, they spoke in a soft, natural voice, developed probably through years of contact with the natives —a pleasant change from the irritating affectation of many main landers.

The menfolk were true to label. Broad of vision, industrious, enterprising and adventurous. More. I found that the pioneering spirit is not dead. All they had asked for was to be unshackled from all restrictions on progress. They wanted liberty to expand to the full their initia tive and individuality. All were imbued with the one purpose in life —to so develop the rich, unlimited resources of New Guinea as to make it yet another State of the great Australian Common wealth.

I shall miss my friendly chats with these people. They rekindled my fire of adventure, which had not been aglow since early youth.

The “Montoro” was nearing the mouth of the Brisbane River before I knew it bad left the wharf. It was then too late for me to give them the warm hand clasp and wish them God-speed.

But I intend to visit the Islands in the near future. Especially do I want to see Lae. hallowed spot of the immortal dead.

So. until then, my Territorian friends.

Aloha!

I am, etc,,

Brisbane.

J. M. Henry.

12/9/46.