Erritories Talk-Talk

By Tolola

Timing

T about the time of the big aol-break at Moresby, which jceived an almost day-to-day age in the Sydney Press, the of Edinburgh was preparing his •n-slide lecture for London aces on his Commonwealth referring to New Guinea, he he old story about the native loose,” released when the Japs in. •with instructions to report at the end of hostilities h they did —or are reported to done) —all of which seemed dicate to the Duke that life jr gaols is not a very dis ig one. In his broadcast the explained that to the native er prison is a treat. They tree square meals a day and sting work to do. further confuse the issue, a rra message on May 30 the Administrator as issuing der “that prisoners must not iced in leg-irons.” it with juvenile delinquents sent to mission schools, ers rushing back behind the ?) after a 3 h years’ war, and tive punishment being ad

vocated by the Minister, it is little wonder that the ordinary P-NG citizen of any colour becomes some what apprehensive of the crime increase and the deterrent measures adopted to meet the situation.

New CJ.

For P-NG Once again the Territory’s Chief Justice will hail from Victoria.

Retiring CJ (Sir Beaumont Phillips) w r as born at Ballarat, and his pre decessor in the TNG, Judge Wanliss, was also from that State. Mr.

Justice Mann was educated at Geelong Grammar; service with the RAAF in Britain immediately gives him a standing with Islanders and the fact of his taking silk in 1955 gives him further prestige.

His father, Sir Frederick Mann, was a former Chief Justice of Vic toria and Lieutenant-Governor of the State for nine years (1936-45).

Territory judges have a some what arduous task when compared with Australian conditions: The multiplicity of languages; and the montony of interpretation; the con flict of cultures; and no jury.

It’s no sinecure, but both terri tories have been most fortunate in these appointments.

A Political

Peg

Once again the poor, unsophistic ated, down-throdden, exploited native in P-NG (this description is not original), is made the chopping block for Union agitators, desirous of extending their influence at any cost.

And once again the vocal vehicle in this campaign is a one-time Administration official in the Dis trict Services, yclept Gus O’Donnell, who, in a letter to the SMH (27.5.57), gleefully announces that the Labour Council will ask the ACTU to “in vestigate” trade-union conditions in

lieutenant Clark Hawkins and Corporal Arthur Pitts of the United States Map Service, Far East, at Lae airport on May 1.

Young men in American Army uniforms are a rare sight in the Territory these days, especially those with the unusual colour patch (Fuji Mountain in white on blue background) of the Topographic Unit, American Far East Forces.

Lieutenant Hawkins, who hails from Pennsyl vania, has been away from home about a year, and Corporal Pitts, Mississippi, about two years, most of which has been spent in Japan working on maps of strategic areas. 3oth men were going to Kavieng where they will join fellow Americans, who have been there since September, 1956, and 40 Aus tralians. Together they will do a ship-to-shore survey of New Ireland. "The Americans have * small ship and equipment, and the Aus tralians do most of the work," Lieutenant Hawkins said. They expect to be on New Ireland until about October, 1957.

P-NG and arouse Party interest in the Territory.

He regrets that the ALP “should be so little concerned about the

thousands of workers in whether they are black or i He introduced the tin bogey “colonialism” and the the right of lawful assemblj The inference to be draw his letter is that the P-NG labourer is working under v* verse conditions, without the to safeguard either his so economic position.

As an ex-Administration O’Donnell must have known preventive measures enforced Government against any genial conditions and the tion and paternal guard shown to native workers Government.

To me it appeared to b« political sniping, using the as a peg on which to hang union propaganda.

Two days later the SMH a letter from Michael J. Le: Zenag, an old identity knowi and, as co-author of The Lav Time Forgot, well qualified issue with Gus O’Donnell.

(Continued on Page 129)

At the Methodist Church, Rabaul, NG, recently, Mr. Alan Sutherland was marries Marjorie Izard. Photograph shows (left to right): Mr. R. Galloway (who gave the bri Mrs. Pardon, matron-of-honour; bride and groom; Mr. R. Sheen, best man; and the Pardon of the Methodist Church. Photo- C

Mr. and Mrs. Y. C. Wong (centre) after their wedding recently at the Rabaul Catholl Shown with them, left to right, are Mr. Thomas Chow, best man; Father Franke; Fath[?] and Miss D. Seeto, bridesmaid.

; was an exceptionally good er. describing the difference be en our modern social and lomic set-up and that of the ve’s. be native’s “own primitive lomy and total independence i ours,” wrote Mick, “is the best ection from the factors trade mism so ably helps to alleviate abolish. What have we got in world, as we know it, as good letter than he now enjoys? I think of no worse fate for him i to be divorced from his present ire and regimented into any g which would force him into ‘conomy with which he is not tally equipped to cope. He will me a bewildered, unwanted and ttered recruit to Communism.” ue, very true. I often wonder h interests these trade-union ipions hold most dear: The r es or the Movement?

a. Passage

ne months ago (or it may be ; Time hastens so in the slip m of our modern times) I had nquiry about the transfer of Buka Passage government in from the mainland at Bonis e Island of Sohano. tat was the date? And other Is regarding the post-mark on

stamps? The question was never solved to the satisfaction of my enquirer. He now sends me a threefold quiz: ♦ What was the date when the government station moved from Bonis to Sohano Island? ® Was the post-office ever operated on the Bonis side’ What was the aonroximatP date

of mSSiSt the nSt-office’

(Lrhelt nlst-mlrk P known to mv enquirer is 1927) enquirer is From my somewhat time-worn memory, I would say that one Percy Vivian was the ADO Buka Passage circa 1927-28 and was relieved by McMullen. Perhaps Ken can us about it.

Wanted"

A Historian

——— The Buka Passage enquiry is only one of many which come to me from near and far Latest query came from a numismatist anxious to know all about w,orf ol iL d ’°f:P aradlse c 9 ins » issued by the old New Guinea Kompagnie back in 1894.

I passed on what I knew (which wasn’t much) and would welcome any news from PIM readers. This same enquirer was also interested in an old trade “token” used by pioneer J. B. O. Mouton in his trade store at Kiniqunan (near Kokopo) in the early days. store “tokens,” of course, were a

popular means in earlier days of confining the purchases of planta tion labourers to the planters’ own stores. Any comment from old timers?

All of which adds up to the need for some organised research into Territorial history and local Historical Societies (one at Moresby and t’other at Kokopo) might get cracking on the idea. Minister Hasluck (who is history-minded) ? culd solve the Problem by creat lng such a position and w £ ngle an endowment from some one of the many US foundations that support such research. PP xj T ,

Imp 1 Ticks

TVfkserl - A few chips were flying from off disgruntled shoulders last month when one J. W. H. Miller re-opened his barrage against the P-NO Ad ministration. The same gentleman described by the “cal Moresby paper as a “former resident” and “boiler operator,” and by a Sydney paper as a “Public Servant” and “Hospital engineer,” unburdened his soul two years ago about “wasfp and inefficiency” in the Territory and apparently got nowhere Y d His latest effort is to pen un thP tall poppies in the Trade Union movement to mess for a n enaS and he cites complaints of th?onp time Director of Public Health the

present Assistant^Administrator

Regarding genial lalcfty and

in matters appertaining toe Territory’s health conditions.

Miller apparently got the e a fea,ture-writer on one of Syo afternoon papers, unloaded his< and, after expressing fears tlr a Public Servant his revekl would be discredited, said he ample documentary evidem maladministration and no poc prejudice.

Said the feature-writer: Thee Taxpayers’ Assn., alarmed b( Auditor-General’s report, and! ing regard to Mr. Miller’s bonaj has asked the Prime Minis# refer the allegations of wash; inefficiency to the Public Aco Committee.

Said Administrator Clelam Mr. Monk or any other unionist wanted to inves working conditions they wouj ceive every courtesy.

Comment: In view of the m in which previous allegations cerning Administration’s ities, as reported by the An General, have been investigat would seem that it might be s siderable time before the (the people, the taxpayers) a:j lightened as to whether there foundation for the allegaticc not.

Hustings Ahoy!

The introduction of the pe element will undoubtedly do< to create electors’ interest i forthcoming Legco polls thai pleas or threats coming fro:< Minister. Don Barrett’s seat ft NG Islands is to be contest Legal-Eagle Dudley Jones wld spite the Don’s vocal contrifcl in the Moresby Debating S will have a good following Downs is also a contestant Mainland electorate and i now suggest Jimmy James ra opposed by Solicitor Craig I Actually the Government-]- Council is such a non-effectu;i up (with all prizes going to off that it is a wonder to me so( leading residents are prepa;j give so much of their time to token gatherings.

But if it is any consulate) P-NG people let them realisa the people of “Democratic”" tralia are in much the same It is the Party that rules—m People—and their representatf the House vote merely on lines, as the Leader dictates not according to the will people. Introduce the secreti in Parliament instead of dm and we might get somewheres o That would be thez Secret voting in the P-NG Official members could th& according to their beliefsi not their briefs. That wo true democracy.