Do You Remember?

From PIM of 20 Years ago.

THE Depression was still with us

in October 1932 —but our issue

for that month contained fewer

groans and moans than usual—at

least on that score. Bananas were being given away and copra was still

“depressed” (and so were planters)

but a number of other interesting

events were taking place and

crowded out some of the regular

complaints. October PIM of 1932

contained these pieces of news:—

The “Larkin Case” was being discussed in New Guinea —and in Canberra. J. J.

Larkin was a planter of Manus. He was allegedly attacked by a native who was on loan to him from Mr. Edgell—the boy, in the way of NG natives, recognised only one master and wanted to return to him, and this Larkin would not permit.

Larkin had the boy held by other native servants and had him flogged. The boy later died —apparently as a result of blood-poisoning due to wounds inflicted during the beating becoming septic.

Larkin was arrested, tried by Judge Wanliss (no jury) and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. When the matter was discussed in Parliament, the Minister for Territories (then Mr. C. Mart) de fended the sentence. Many New Guinea residents considered that it was too severe. The PIM supported them and there was agitation for a review of the sentence. * * * “On August 13 Mr. Arthur Grimble sailed from Ocean Island on his way to England. It was with sincere regret that Europeans and natives of the island said farewell. He came to the G & E In 1913, as a cadet straight from Cambridge University. He leaves it in 1932 as Resident Commissioner. He was a sad and sick-looking man —his health has been very indifferent for some time past.” (Mr. Grimble of 1933 is now Sir Arthur. He apparently regained . his health, is still full of enthusiasm for the Pacific although he did not return to the G & E, and is still writing books —see elsewhere this issue.)

It was reported that 138 whaling shin were en route to the antarctic for the neo season and that it was expected that td the end of it (with the previous seasonn carry-over) about 534,000 tons of whalf oil would be available —a steep increase over previous years. It was feared that this could not help but have a depressinti effect on the copra market which wsi showing "little variation”, * * * “At an interesting ceremony at tM; opening of the Fiji Legislative Counc3; on October 3, there was presented on bet half of King George V, King Cakobauu war club for ceremonial use as a Mace o the Legislative Council. The club was given by King Cakobau to Queen Victorii on October 10, 1874 when the Deed o Cession was signed.” (We published picture of this war-club-cum-mam Cakobau would not have recognised ii It had been lavishly decorated with dove"! of peace and ferns (or were they oliw branches?) and surmounted by a crowin It is still used, of course, in Fiji Legcoio s|s H* ♦ "The Commonwealth Government ha>decided that officers of the Public Servioi of Papua shall be subjected to financial emergency legislation and that a re duction of 10 per cent, on civil servants salaries shall take place from October ’

At the same time the Australian Governr ment’s annual subsidy for Papua will bf reduced by £6,000 per annum tt £34,000.” * * * A clause in the Ottawa Agreement whicii had recently been signed, removed thd; high Australian tariff barrier against Fi,F bananas and traders and others in Auaii tralia were rejoicing in the thought m getting good bananas once more. A fe»o were admitted soon after but thdJ triumph was short lived—Australian, banana interests soon found other wayji of blocking Fiji competition with thd inferior local bananas. * * * Norfolk Island residents were wamesi that 1,000 tourists were due on thd.

"magnificient new Strathaird” sometimes in December. This was a six-day cruises from Sydney. Fares ranged from £6/10/\C to £lO according to cabin. Those wen« the days!