‘Boong-Bashing’

Silly Talk by Tasmanian Socialist

MEMBERS of the E-NO Legisla tive Council, at their in augural meeting in November, expressed bitter resentment at statements reported to have been made in the Australian Parliament by Senator O’Byrne.

This gentleman said that planters had opposed the establishment of the Council because “they do not like any alteration of the Boong- Bashing order, under which they used to exploit the natives.”

Mr. Don Barrett, representing New Britain planters, said that the planters had been fighting for years for the establishment of the Coun cil, and planters generally had a high sense of responsibility towards their native employees. [ The new Council should not fret about Senator O’Byme. He is typical of the queer specimens that are thrown up into politics every so-often by the Trade Union jrganisation. Most of these political md sociological freaks are accepted philosophically by the nation as part of the price we pay for iemocracy. Because they are mostly literate and their judgment governed by their hates, their ;ontributions to debate are worth ess—but often very amusing.

Senator O’Byrne’s statement about

“Boong Bashing” is typical of the man, and his ideas. Tasmania re gards him as a political joke; and that viewpoint is recommended to our friends in New Guinea.

Mr. F. J. Grattan, Secretary of Samoan Affairs returned to Apia on the October Matua after extended sick leave in NZ. He was one of '

the survivors of the Catalina dis aster in Western Samoa in April, 1951.

The Secretary of the NZ Depart ment of Island Territories of the New Zealand Government, Mr. R.

G. Patrick, passed through Apia on November 17 on his return from Rarotonga where he had made an official visit.