Unhappy

Mr. Ward Is Politically Unhappy

SOME Australian newspapers are specu lating about the political future of Mr. E. J. Ward, known to residents of Papua and New Guinea as Australian Minister for the Territories.

Mr. Ward spent all 1948 and a good part of 1949 fighting a series of charges made against him in connection with New Guinea timber leases. He emerged from lengthy court and Royal Commis sion inquiries with his political repu tation unscathed.

But, during that period, he seemed to ose his position in the Parliamentary Labour Party as runner-up to the Deputy Prime Minister. It is said that Dr. Evatt no longer fears him.

Then came the coal strike, and Mr.

IJhifley’s shadow-sparring with the Com nunists, in the course of which he em fioyed the troops, Mr. Ward got off lide in this—he criticised the Prime Minister. There is a rebellion within the 3 arty, but he did steer clear of that.

There is a very strong anti-Chifley jabour group now in East Sydney—Mr.

Vard’s electorate. There are also, there, l large number of staunch friends of rock Garden, who went to gaol after naking various timber-lease charges igainst Mr. Ward—which the judge re ected.

There has been juggling with electoral )oundaries. East Sydney has lost a lice of its Labour voters. Even in the Id days, East Sydney was not always jabour. “Dicky” Orchard held it for mg years, as a non-Labour seat; and fr. Ward lost it once to a doughty ghter named Clasby. Mr. Clasby died

three weeks after his victory, and Mr Ward returned on the by-election.

Watch the East Sydney figures on election night (December 10). They may be interesting.

Dr. K. J. Gilchrist, Surgeon Specialist with the Medical Department, Fiji, has accepted a transfer to Nigeria as Sur geon Specialist. Dr. Gilchrist was in Australia in September,

Mr. J. G. Garnett, who recently returned to Fiji after leave, after being seconded to the British Service in Tonga for U years, is now on the staff of the Public Relations Office.

Mr. J. W. Gittins, Registrar of Co operative Societies, Fiji, has been ap pointed District Commissioner. Southern, to replace Mr. G. K. Roth, who is ill. Mr.

Gittins will continue his duties as Regis trar of Co-operatives but will have assis tance.