New Guinea Men Talking
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
of Defence
From Our Own Corresnondent LAE, July 20.
ABOUT twelve months ago, the Terri—i tory was visited by senior officers oflc the Australian Defence Dept., osten—i sibly w T ith a view to establishing a de--' fence organisation which could functionn quickly in case of necessity. Plans mayy. have been made, but we have heard noth—j ing more about them.
At the last meeting of the Lae Sub—c Branch of the Returned Servicemens League, strong views were expressed con— i cerning this apparent apathy. Attentiona was drawn to the position in the Fanj East, with the relative importance of Neww Guinea in the event of the war spreading.?
One speaker, whole-heartedly sup-c ported by others —all of whom had livedb: in the Lae area, on the Nadzab Road, inn pre-war days—was scathing in his com-: ments on what had been done in thosesc days. The Government had promised): everything, but had provided little one nothing in the early days of the wan Many were compelled to use their ownr rifles and ammunition against the in-r vaders.
The meeting urged that some early an nouncement should be made as to whethens the NGVR, or some similar local unit: would be set up, if only as a measure. It was decided to ask the Stated Branch of the League to take the mattene up as a “first priority” with the relevant!
Department.
Mr. Richard McLeod Randall, of th©i Bank of New South Wales staff, Suvae Fiji, was married in July to Miss Eunice-: Nita Ross, of Oberon, N.S.W.