Treatment of Vanikoro

Timber Worker

Letter to the Editor IWAS astounded to read in January PIM an article headed, “Treatment of a Vanikoro Timber Worker.” The charge that this in jured man was treated with cruelty and deprived of his sick pay is absolutely untrue.

Lowney (the man mentioned) when he met with the accident, was driven from the job to the river, by motor lorry, and then was taken to hospital by launch. He was not at any time given morphia, and was quite well and back to work in seven days. He was also paid com pensation for the time he was off work.

The treatment of European labour on the island of Vanikoro differs very little from that in Australia— with the exception of wages, which are twice as much as Australian awards, and three times that of Fiji.

I believe the article originated with a person who was unsuited for tropical life, and who became disgruntled with everything con nected with it. Probably to try and alleviate his feelings, he wrote an article absolutely without founda tion, to which he did not have the courage to sign his name.

I am, etc.,

A. E. Haling.

Vanikoro, BSI.

U Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Jones will leave Sydney in July to make their home in La?, New Guinea.