Some Sidelights On The

South Seas Conference

JYJR- IVOR THOMAS, the leader of the UK delegation arrived too late for the opening session. His plane was grounded at Sardinia because of had weather ♦ * * r PWO Papuan students of the Kwato * mission, together with a Papuan woman student, attended the final session, accompanied by Mr. Cecil Abel.

They all appeared intently interested. * * * HTHE old New Guineaite, Nick Penglase, received special praise for his work in committee. He was one of the few Australian advisers with pre-war ex perience in New Guinea. Secretary of the Conference Chinnery also received bouquets for his successful work and org anising ability. ♦ * • A USTRALIAN delegates did not favour an island headquarters for the Com mission; they prefer Sydney, where records are available. But if it has to be an Island centre, they prefer Port Moresby to Suva. * * * Jl/TANY of the debatable points were 1 ironed out during the unofficial gath ering at cocktail and luncheon parties, sipping a noggin and playing with a savoury. * * * /CANBERRA’S local newspaper, waging a war on the local pubs, started the story featuring Ivor Thomas being drinkless, dinnerless and barred from having breakfast in bed at the famous Canberra Hotel. Sydney papers copied.

Next day Thomas, himself an ex-jour'na list, denied the incidents entirely. * ♦ ♦ IJUILDING stones from English Public Schools, imbedded in the wall of the Grammar School colonnade, cre ated a nostalgic feeling in many of the delegates.