There Is This Freedom

In N. Hebrides!

NEW HEBRIDES Is unique in many ways; and not the least of them lies in the fact that you can actually set foot in the place without having to fill in a form. This is in contrast to Poly nesia, for example, where even the transient round-tripper fills in a form at practically every port— giving the colour of his eyes and his intentions; the colour of his grandparents plus other details be loved of officialdom.

The Sydney shipping office warns the traveller he needs a valid pass port for the Hebrides, but the Hebrides seem to be unaware of this. Medical inspection consists of some notations by the ship's medical officer about half a day previous to arrival at Vila; and there is no tedious business of “clearing the ship” when it reaches port. A launch comes alongside, and you simply get off.

Or maybe our passage was made easy by the fact when we arrived —6 pm—all Vila was at an official reception to the visiting High Com missioner for the Western Pacific.— J.T., New Hebrides, March 16.

Henry Maino, from Papua, at tending a conference on co operatives in Queensland, told delegates that native banana planters have a special trick for thieves. They enclose the banana bunches in bags, as a protection against flying-foxes; and, now and again, they put a small, lively snake into the bag before they tie it up.

Light-fingered neighbours do not know which bags contain snakes, and-so treat the lot with respect.