The Editors' Mailbag

An Axe Labelled

'Cleland'

“You may—or may not—know that, in the archives of the Federal Labour Parliamentary Party, there is a large axe labelled ‘For Cleland’ ”, writes an old friend from Canberra. “It will be brought quickly into use, if and when Labour gets back into power.

“Members of the Labour Party were furious when J. K. Murray was pushed out of the Papua-New Guinea Administratorship by Mr.

Spender, some time after the Liberals won the Australian elections in 1949; and a formal resolution, which must be put into operation, was placed among the records of the Labour Caucus, to the effect that, if Mr. Cleland was in office when Labour took over the Government again, he should t>e forthwith removed.

“Many people, who are not in any way sympathetic with Socialism, were sorry to see J. K. Murray removed from office. He was liked for his personal qualities, and respected for his great ability—and he was in no sense a Red.

“The trouble, of course, was that he was the selection and appointee of the much-detested ‘Eddie’ Ward, then Minister for Territories. In the view of non-Labour politicians, nothing good could possibly come out of the Ward stable.

“But they showed considerable lack of wisdom in putting Cleland straight into Murray’s place— because Brigadier Cleland, no matter how able, was best known to Australia as the Liberal Party’s most successful organiser.”

Our correspondent is right.

There is some sort of resolution like that in the records of the ALP.

But Administrator Cleland need lose no sleep o’ nights while Dr.

Evatt remainds Federal Labour leader—he is no election-winner.

You Could Get Off

The Beaten Track Then

Our old friend, Mr. E. W. Harri son of Fergusson Island, Papua, has sent us this old photograph of the “SS Moresby” taken about 1909 and a few notes to go with it to indicate that 50 years ago tourists on BP services in the SW Pacific got a long and liesurely trip for their money.

The ships were by no means pala tial (writes Mr. Harrison) ; the ac commodation was confined but the food was ample. Two vessels were on the Solomons-Papua run, the

Moresby and the Makambo (the latter when unloaded usually had a heavy list to starboard).

Their itinerary was Sydney, Bris bane, Tulagi, Guadalcanal, Gizo, Faisi (Shortland 15.,) Woodlark Is., Samarai, Moresby and Cooktown.

The ships then returned along the same route back to Sydney through the islands.

It was noticed always that plan ters and others who went ashore in the Solomons went well “heeled” —revolver, bowie knife on belt; rifle and a bandolier of ammunition.

Malaita Island was avoided as the locals were too fond of long-pig.

There was a Government post there, but it had a 10 ft. stockade around it and armed guards were mounted from sunset to sunrise.

The officer in charge, at the time of which I write, was a Mr.

Edge Partington, an ex-RN mid shipman. He was most interesting to listen to, especially after a few whisky-and-sodas. Some years after this, two BSIP Government officers and their escort were slaughtered by Malaitamen (PIM, October).

The old Moresby was built in Scandinavia and her original name was Christopher Christopher sson; except for engine room and bun kers, she was all cargo space below deck. Crew were quartered for’ard in a top-gallant fo’castle; pas sengers housed aft under the poop.

Her commander at that time was Captain Bayldon (“Gentle Annie” his nickname) and a thorough gentleman and a fine navigator. He gave BP’s long and faithful service.

The Moresby met her fate in World

War I when she was torpedoed ] the English Channel.

Cover Competition

A Port Moresby reader has som thing to say about our cover awar “While not disagreeing with yo remarks about Ata (PIM coti award, August) I think the b( cover by far was the April issue “That sweet little darling, Men kijiana—there was personality 1 you! And the appeal of sunny chil hood. The photographer manag to catch her at an angle so tl the closer you look the more e chantingly happy she appears.”

0 Lord, Give

Us Strength

We don’t feel that it has mu merit as verse, but it is strong sentiment, so we publish herewith “Hymn” sent in by a frustral Territorian and designed, we fe as a sling-shot at the P-NG Put Service: O Thou, who seest all things belt Grant that Thy servants may slow; That they may study to comply With regulations till they die.

And when the Tempter seems give Us feelings of initiative, Or when alone we go too far, Chastise us with a circular.

Teach us, Lord, to reverence, Committees more than comm sense; Impress our minds to make no pi But pass the baby when we can..

Mid war and tumult, fire c storms, Strengthen us, we pray, with for Thus will Thy servants ever be..

A flock of perfect sheep for Th

Foredeck of "Moresby" leaving Sydney, 1909.