New P.M. is no stranger to the Islands

Senator John Gorton who became Prime Minister of Australia in January following the tragic drowning in December of Mr. Harold Holt (“PIM”, Jan., p. 28), is no stranger to the islands of the South Pacific.

His most recent visit to the area was in July last year when he represented Australia at the coronation of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV in Nukualofa. He was then Minister for Education and Science.

Our picture was taken on an earlier occasion, in New Guinea, when Senator Gorton (right) was Australian Minister for the Navy, and pressed the button which put into operation the Coastwatchers ’ Memorial Light at Madang. This was on August 15, 1959. Seen stand ing behind him at the ceremony is the former Admini strator of P-NG, Sir Donald Cleland. In his opening speech at Madang, Senator Gorton said that the spirit of co-operation between New Guineans and Europeans which had developed during the war would continue to be built on as “the light continues to shine”. It was a good speech and Senator Gorton was a popular visitor, the general opinion being that he was a straight shooter with no frills. He had a colourful war record of his own.