Unhappy Rabaul

Pi'om a Special Correspondent Rabaul, October 29.

THE last of the Japanese prisoners of war are now awaiting shipment, They are to go on the “Hanazuki”— 700 of them.

The effect on the Production Control Board is likely to be embarrassing. As a result of Government policy, there is no indentured native labour available, and free native labour is unreliable and expensive. The Board had been using POW labour, and the Japs were excel lent workers.

Private employers, whose labour prob lems are endless, have no sympathy with the labour troubles of a Government concern like PCB. “Let the Government taste a little of its own medicine,” they say.

Kokopo Rehabilitation

NEWS that their old friend, Mr. Jim Ewen, will shortly arrive from Mad ang has been received with pleasure by Kokopo residents. He always was a good worker for the community; and, now that Kokopo Club is being revived, they feel that he will be the right man in the right place.

Mrs. Mildred Costello has done a fine job in the rehabilitation of Gire-Gire Plantation. That should be one of the first plantations into full production in the Kokopo district.

Young John Gilmore accepts the cur rent report that the “Reynella” still somewhere en route between Sydney and Rabaul—is so slow that another ship has been sent after her to revictual her. John has been very busy on the rehabilitation

of Put-Put Plantation, and has even given Ihe jeep a new coal of green paint.

Reason for his impatience? Mrs. John Gilmore and small daughter are on the “Reynella.”

Giant Snail Menace

WE certainly have a dangerous Jap legacy in the giant snails which the invaders started to cultivate here as an article of food.

The creatures are increasing by mil lions, and they seem to tackle any kind of vegetation.

Administration Troubles

AS an example of the arrogance and unruliness of native labour, we have the recent strike of native orderlies at the native hospital. After consider able argument, the Chinese nurses at the hospital decided to resign their positions; and, on condition that the Chinese nurses departed, the native orderlies agreed to remain. They also got an as surance that the medical officer, who was going to Port Moresby for a conference, would bring the orderlies’ grievances be fore the Administrator.

I have it on good authority that the Administration now pays out no less than £6,000 per month here for Chinese and half caste labour—an astonishing figure for Rabaul, which shows what New Guinea is likely to cost the Austra lian taxpayer.

There still is no indication of what the Administration intends to do in re lation to Rabaul—whether some sort of establishment is to be gradually built up here, or whether we are eventually to desert this region of perpetual earth quakes.

Food Suppliers—Public Protest

A PUBLIC meeting at the hostel here last night considered ways and means of getting essential supplies.

Speakers criticised the Administration sharply for its apparent indifference to wards our plight, and for the way in which officials interfere in Australia with our grocery orders. Butter, bacon, tob acco and other had been deleted in Australia our orders, with the explanation that ample supplies were available in Rabaul. If they are, no one knows where the supplies are located, and many people are on very short commons.

It was apparent from statements at the meeting that Rabaul people are suf fering great inconvenience through inter departmental friction and lack of co operation.

Lack of telephones and telephone at tendants is another matter which is causing great trouble here —especially in cases of serious illness.

It was reported that protests had been made to the Administrator against former enemy aliens being allowed to re turn to the Territories, to their former occupations and properties, while Terri tories planters, or their wives and fami lies, were being refused admittance on many and various and often very stupid excuses. The Administration had not even acknowledged the letter of protest.

The absence of an inter-island radio communication service for civilian use— the present service, is reserved for Gov ernment use only—was also discussed.

It was decided to send an urgent com munication to the Australian Prime Min ister, asking for help in various direc tions, and especially in relation to sup plies of essential food.