Acidulous Exchanges At Congress

birthright Criticism by Administrator

Of P-Ng Rsl

[ From Our Own Correspondent LAE, Feb. 28.

PENING the sth Annual Con gress of the Papua-New Guinea branch of RSL, the Admin ■ator (Brigadier D. M. Cleland) 1 there had been a tendency for League, or its executive, or for i of its Sub-branches, to make tests or pass resolutions on tters which in reality had noth to do with the League.

Phis tendency to become vocifer on matters which are not with he League’s charter is one which it be watched with the utmost tion,” he continued. “Entering > fields of public controversy ‘re it cannot be said, by any tch of imagination, that the sub is the concern of returned men women, is to bring the League the realm of politics or into category of a pressure group. . . rake, as an example only, the >tion of liquor for natives. When first Ordinance came before islative Council there were pro -3 from the League with regard section 9, which gave power to Administrator to exempt certain ves and the provisions of the [nance.

Jthough the Ordinance was ented to by the Governor-Gen it was subsequently announced no implementing Regulations Id be made under Section 9. s, the Section is inoperative and 1 prohibition prevails to-day. All has happened since then is that ive stated on a public occasion further consideration should be i to this question, gain the RSL voiced opposition, he fresh proposals to come be the Legislative Council are not ;t known. It is rather premature anyone to be fully critical of ithing of which as yet they do know the details. . . he question of liquor for natives matter which does not concern League as such, because under circumstances can it be said any of its objects or its policy the League the right to state /lews on a question of this re.”

IGADIER CLELAND said that f a member of the public, who s also a member of the RSL, true objections to any policy iy administrative action or de i which is outside the realm of League, it was perfectly com it and right that he should his views; but he should not he RSL as a platform for that Dse. ne men were still playing on

the fact—and that fact alone—that they were ex-servicemen and there fore every door and channel should be open to them. Fortunately that number was in a minority—but so often the minority could besmirch the name of the majority.

Brigadier Cleland’s indignant re ferences to the wreath incident at Lae are reported elsewhere.

THE Committee subsequently said that the League had no inten tion of relinquishing its right to put the views of the public before the administering body. It bitterly resented the remarks of Brigadier Cleland and would ignore his ad vice not to interfere in political matters which had nothing to do with the RSL as an organisation— as the RSL believes these matters do concern the League.

The statement said the League was fully aware of its obligations under its Constitution, and affirmed that it was competent to consider such matters in the interests of ex servicemen and women in the Territory. It would continue to exercise that right.

On the question of “some men playing on the fact that they were veterans,” the statement said it agreed there were some people in this category in the Territory. How ever, it was certainly not the policy or the intention of the League to assist or sponsor those who did not show the desire to help themselves.

Congress considered it was the duty of the RSL to do its utmost to assist in the everyday life of the Territory. To this end it considered that the Administration should wel come any efforts made by the League which would be not only in the form of constructive criticism but in the form of well considered advice and co-operation.

New President Appointed

Widely known Territorian Mr.

Bob Bunting has replaced retiring President Mr. George Whittaker, MLC, as leader of the Papua-New Guinea State Branch of the RSL.

Mr. Bunting, who has business in terests at Samarai, Popondetta, Lae, Goroka and other Territory centre*, defeated Mr. John Stokie, of Rabaul, by 870 votes to 185 for the coveted honour.

After five years as President, Mr.

Whittaker retired, so as to give more time to his cocoa plantation, near Lae, his professional duties as optometrist, and his work as MLC He announced his retirement four months ago.

The three Vice-Presidents for the ensuing year are Mr. John Stokie (New Guinea Islands), Mr. WaPy

Watkins (Papua) and Mr. L. M. (“Pat”) Henry (New Guinea Main land) . State secretaryship is again in the hands of Mr. James Knight; Honorary Auditor is Mr. E. V.

Davis; honorary treasurer is Mr.

Bill Fuller: and the Trustees are Messrs. Henry Eekhoff and John McKean.

Sub-Branches through the Terri tory were represented at Congress as follows; Bulolo Mr. B. Scholes Goroka Mr. J. Gray Kavieng Mr. J. McKean Kokopo Mr. K. Jones

(Continued on Page 131)

e Mr. C. Wilkinson idang .. Mr. C. H. Wheatley rt Moresby Mr. W. W. Watkins baul .. .. Mr. John Stokie marai .. .. Mr. R. Bunting tiano .. .. Mr. C. Hendrick iu Mr. N. Wilde

iwak .. .. Mr. H. Thompson

. W. C. G. Roberts, lately man of the ANZ Bank at Newcastle, , has been appointed manager le bank’s Suva office, in suc >n to Mr. W. J. Lahore, who been transferred to Brisbane, iahore achieved marked success itroducing the ANZ Bank to