Natives

Easy Money For

War Damage Distribution in New Guinea

LAE, Nov. 29.

THE lavish manner in which so-called “war damage compensation” is being scattered among the natives is an indication of the huge sums which Aus tralia has to spare. It is estimated that, already, scores of thousands of pounds are “socked away” by natives—and the money is still rolling in.

I visited Finschhafen a few days ago, and I could have cried to see the once thriving plantations reverting to bush.

Natives will not work. They are re ceiving something like £60,000 in that area, as War Damage at post-war prices.

We Europeans received nothing like this in comparison. We were given pre-war rates, less deterioration, which to-day is nothing like the replacement value.

The native’s word is taken without question. If he says he had 20 pigs at £5 each—well, it’s OK with the Government.

What is more hurtful among natives is the fact that their own tribesmen, who joined up with a Japanese Police Force and caused the death of hundreds of natives and Europeans, are treated the same as those who were loyal to us. No effort is being made to punish those who were traitors, not only to us, but to their own people.

Major W. B. Ayris (formerly of Wau, TNG) looking as young as ever, recently spent a few weeks’ holiday in Sydney, from North Queensland, where station life apparently agrees with him. A por tion of his holiday was spent out at the old-time centre of Cobbitty, where Mr.

David Campbell (also an old Edie Creek veteran) is running the guest-house “Pomare.”

Mr. Peter Lazarus, only son of Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Lazarus, of Suva, Fiji, was married in Brisbane recently to Miss Beryl M. Dixon, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Dixon, Townsville. Mr.

Lazarus is attached to the ABC reporting staff, and is well known in the Southern States for his broadcasting work in plays and talks. Brisbane will be the future home of the couple.