Ban On Polynesians Will Be

Removed

ON the way back from the Colombo Conference in January, the New Zealand Minister for External Affairs and Islands Territories, Mr. F. W. Doidge, spent a day in Sydney.

The Minister told the editor of the PIM that he would inquire concerning the operation of the ban placed on Pacific Islanders bv the former Australian Socialist Minister for Immigration, Mr.

Calwell. It is likely that an announce ment about this matter will be made by the Minister, before long.

Originally, Australia imposed a ban against all Polynesians. They were al lowed to enter the country, but they could not reside there permanently. Immediately there was an angry protest from New Zealand, on behalf of the Maoris. The Australian Minister very hurriedly then made an amendment in his ruling— Maoris did not come under the ban.

The PIM then sought to ascertain from both the Australian and New Zealand Socialist Governments, why Maoris should be admitted to Australia, and an embargo placed upon Tongans, Samoans, Tahitians, etc., who were all of exactly the same race. We got the usual evasive replies from the politicians—but the stupid ban remained.

It may be taken as certain that the non-Socialist Governments of Australia and New Zealand will now see that the ban is lifted, Mr. S. H. Yeoman of Papua-New Guinea Civil Administration (he was ADO Kokoda) returned to Papua in the February Malaita after several months’ leave irt Australia. Mrs. Yeoman will return on Bulolo—when she sails.

Mr. W. E. Rvall, a director of Nelson & Robertson Pty.. Ltd., recently com pleted 44 years with the company. In early March he will leave Sydney for an extended tour of Hong Kong and the East, calling at Rabaul, NG, on his re turn voyage to Australia.