The Editors' Mailbag

Wanted—Cargo-Cult

Photographs

Dr. Peter Worsley, who is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Hull, United Kingdom, is making a study of Melanesian Cargo-Cults. He has written a book on the subject and would like some photographs to go with it.

PIM published, in May, 1950, a

Because of disruption to shipping schedules through the Australian waterfront strike, Shipping Time-tables do not appear in this issue. News items will therefore be found on pages 12 and 13 this issue.

photograph of a cargo house made in the shape of an aeroplane and situated in a village in the Madang district of New Guinea. These par ticular natives believed- that the cargo would be sent by their an cestors in a plane—and the house made in that shape (in which the cargo was to be stored) was, pre sumably, a subtle compliment to said ancestors.

Other villages, it was stated, had built store houses in the shape of jeeps.

PIM no longer has the original of this illustration and at this date, 5i years after publication, cannot remember who sent the story and the photograph. But if any readers have photographs of cargo houses, aeroplane or jeep shaped, or just plain, or of any other aspect of Cargo Cult and its adherents, Dr.

Worsley would like very much to borrow them. He can be addressed direct, C/- of the Department of Social Studies, the University of Hull, UK.

French 'Authorities" Don't

Like PIM Article

From our friend, Oscar Nordman, of Tahiti: “My son-in-law, Jean Breaud, just arrived from Paris, has had words with me about that article in the September PIM. He says the authorities do not like it, and they accuse the PIM of being anti- French.”

If that September article shows that the PIM is anti-French, it suggests equally that the PIM is anti-British. Which is absurd.

The September article discussed the present condition and probable future of the principal South Pacific Territories. It was pointed out that the forces which threaten our security in the South Pacific — namely, the increasing strength of world Communism and the growing aggressiveness of overcrowded Asia

—are a threat also to Westd Europe.

Therefore, the large Territor< owned and administered by Britd and France in the South Pacifif namely, Fiji, New Caledonia, Nl Hebrides, Solomon Islands, Gilfccf and Ellice Islands and Fren Oceania —cannot look with confl. ence now to Britain and France protection against an attack fn The Pacific War of 1942-45 show that, without the protection of United States, we should have taic completely submerged by Asians..; Britain has surrendered Inti Burma and Ceylon to the Asia and is moving out of Singapore s Malaya, and she assisted in the S 3 render of Indonesia to the Javanu France has virtually withdras from Indo-China; and, like Britt in Middle East and Cyprus, is son embarrassed in hanging on in Africa.

Indo-China, Burma, India, and especially Indonesia, while td were held by Western nations, w* natural barriers between ow crowded Asia and the great, emr lands which the Asians covet in South Pacific.

We recited these facts in the Sc tember article, and we argued tM in view of what they mean, thi was need for a re-appraisementt territorial, political and strate; positions of the British and Frei; Territories in the South Pacific.; If that is anti-French propagan then we are anti-French —and ai British, too.

We are more concerned in p senting a realistic view of the fencelessness of the South Pao. countries, than in keeping off toes of high French officials.

Incidentally, there is a curr difference between the British ; French bureaucracies, in their action to criticism. Whether criticism is good, bad or indiffem the French always resent it, and J British always ignore it. Either w it is tough on a conscienti journalist.

The Title is

AMP-Not Dr.

We have been scolded by/ resident of Fiji because, in November issue of PIM, we refen to two well known Fijian AIVL who were visiting Sydney, as “I' “These are worthy gentlemn says our correspondent, “but tt have only a smattering of mech knowledge. They never have gaij a medical degree—l doubt if ft even have passed a Univen: Entrance examination for a Medo

(Continued on Page 140)

School ” 11TJloro ie lTr

°fiv

tLat

Th °- C Z eS^F n fiS cv riSh > ihere has been a tendency, in of CC the y^^ellen t g *(fen School of Fiji the title of “Dr.”

But that is misleading. Their correct title is AMP (Assistant Medical Practitioner); and their qualifications, while valuable, are far below those acquired (after Matriculation) in six years of hard study by the men and women who

get a degree in Medical Science at a recognised University.

Some AMP’s, practising in the Islands, have shown a remarkable aptitude for medical service and, in the opinion of some, are the equal of some fully qualified men in their handling of uncomplicated cases.

Nonetheless, they are not entitled to be called “Dr.”; and to give them that appellation could lead to grievous error.

Moira Macdonald

I applaud your piece in December on the perfidy of the way Sydney papers played up the Joyita story (writes GBB).

You probably don’t propose launch a continuing one-man cae paign against the over-Americs isation of the local press; buti hope you’ll spare two or three indc to comment on the ballyhoo appee ing on p. 33 of the issue of Peoc of January 11.

It is presumably a hand-out fn a film company. Heading: The sa who refuses to go to Hollywca First paragraph: “Film stars, fn time to time, make bitter attaf on Hollywood, but . . . only one, H Marie Saint, has deliberately turn her back on Hollywood.’’

Samoans reading this will o “Pepelo!” (Phooey!). For M© Macdonald, of Apia, the vee beautiful Samoan girl who starred with Gary Cooper in Rett to Paradise, turned her back Hollywood a year ago, and with«j any fuss and two-page flutter in weekly.

Last June and July I was Apia and saw her, back at her in the bank where, occasional she attended to me when I call on business. Her trip to Sydrr her personal appearance at t theatre screening her film, and t attendant publicity, had obviouj NOT dazzled her; she was the sai politely attentive little lady whi I noticed there before the fill makers “discovered” her, and I fi sure that Hollywood’s offers hi already been submerged by thougl, of her coming marriage—since ported in PIM.