P & T Association Has Six-Hours

Meeting to Discuss Problems

From Our Own Correspondent

RABAUL, April 21.

WHAT was to have been a Special General Meeting of the Planters’ & Traders’ Association of New Guinea, on March 31, developed into the Annual General Meeting. The meeting was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs.

J. J. Gilmore, Rabaul, and was some what of a marathon. It commenced at 10 a.m., and, with A break for luncheon, concluded at 5.30 p.m.

Twenty-two members, all from the New Britain district, attended. It was decided that the elected committee of the New Britain branch be empowered to act as the Executive Council of the Association until the meeting of delegates of all branches of the Association meet in July this year.

The balance sheet as at January 31, 1949, was adopted and selection of office bearers for the coming year resulted in the following being elected:—president, J. Chipper; vice-presidents, J. T. Allan, D.

Barrett; Committee, J. Dunbar-Reid, E.

Pulton, J. Thurston, S. McCosker, J. Dale, J. Gilmore, W. Moore.

During the lengthy meeting members expressed their views freely on a variety of subjects of particular interest to the planting and trading communities.

Among the affairs that received special attention were:— • 'Formulation of the Association’s policy; • Recruiting; • Co-operative buying; • Insurance Agency; • Residence and office of the Associa tion; • Copra agreement with the British Ministry of Food; • Membership subscriptions.

Supply of Quonsett Huts

PLANTERS will shortly.be able to ob tain some Quonsett huts ex-Manus.

Their requirements should have been submitted to the secretary of the Associa tion, Mr. W. R. Paul, in March.