Rabaul Meets The

New Minister

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Aug. 1.

THERE was a colourful scene in the tropical garden of “the house on the too of the hill” — the District Commissioner’s resi dence at Namanula—late in July, when a representative section of Rabaul’s population gathered at a party to do honour to Territories Minister Hasluck and Postmaster- General and Civil Aviation Minister Anthony— the latter accompanied by his piquant and charming wife.

The first thing we noticed about our new Minister is his youth, the lines of laughter round his eyes, and that air of frank friendliness which belongs to most West Australians.

After talking to him, one decides that here is a man who will not deliver any ill-considered judg ments, or facile promises. When this Minister’s decision is given it will be wise and fair.

The morning after his arrival, Mr.

Hasluck left for Kokopo, to inspect the new town site, accompanied by Administrator, Colonel Murray, the District Commissioner, and other officials.

When asked by the Advisory Council that he should suggest to the Australian Government that it reconsider its decision to move the town to Rapopo, Mr. Hasluck said that although it was not his wish to alter the decision of his pre decessor, and that plans were al ready in operation for the move, the idea of a different site was not wholly excluded.

A Variety Of Requests

CHINESE Community representa tives gave lengthy reasons to the Minister to support re quests for more privileges and added status for the Chinese com munity-including equal rights with Europeans, equal pay, and the pur chase of land on the same basis.

They emphasised their anti communist feeling.

Members of the Rabaul and Kokopo Sub-Branch of the RSL urged that encouragement be given to plans to foster feelings of loyalty among Asiatics.

The Planters and Traders’ Asso ciation requested that the Minister take steps to review the MOF copra contract (which Britain has broken by devaluing her currency); that monies taken from the planters and held by the Government be returned to planters; and that they be allowed to sell their copra on world markets. They also urged that the new Native Labour Ordinance be discontinued, and the old one re instituted as a basis for working labour.

Mr. Hasluck said that considera

tion would be given to all these re quests. But, in cases, even if granted, there would be great delay in introducing new measures, as this would involve new legislation.

Mr. Anthony, who arrived at Rabaul the day following Mr. Has luck’s arrival, spent the period of his visit inspecting airstrips, and conferring with DCA officials.

One wonders who organises tours of this nature. The time is obviously too short for the Minister to do anything except listen to the carefully-prepared statements of Public bodies —and take quite a lot of ear-bashing on the side from those with axes to grind.