The Editor's Mailbag

PIM and the rest of the world

The Editor’s “Up Front” article in January (p. 15), in which he points out that PlM’s secondary objective is explaining the Islands to the rest of the world, has prompted me to send what might be some encouragement.

PlM’s primary aim is to inform the Islanders about events in the Islands, but I would like to refute what the editor says about PIM not being read by the rest of the world.

I would like to say that one small voice has listened to, and often repeated, your messages—repeated :hem to many segments of the world.

My PIM subscription commenced in the early 19305, when I was in Eape York Peninsula. Later I visited Port Moresby in company with Charles Cecil Burt, “Scotty” Mac, Errol Flynn, but we put our small :raft up on the reef near Moresby.

'An insurance commissioner came )ut and declared us wrecked and ater sailed our vessel for his own )ersonal use).

Being a “Pommy B”, I have had 'our publication sent on to me in ill parts of the world over the 'ears. PIM, and the many books ssued from your printing press— lobson’s, Judy Tudor’s and others— lave been on our shelves almost as oon as published.

You have properly recorded much >f the heroism and horror of the apanese occupation and how it was let and how the atrocities stained the ’acific for ever. It is high time the me record is made available to Aus ralia and to the Islands of what took lace in civilian and service offices f-power in those days. The Tol lassacre. the loss of men in Rabaul, le Canberra idiocy over not getting le people of Rabaul out in response ) Harold Page’s message, and the uilt of the Department of Ter itories under Halligan should be sealed today, as well as the eroism of the Islanders, and the ontrast in the few who went over ) the enemy even when in AIF niform after being captured in NG.

We live in stirring times but the

hard task of informing the world has gone on in many areas where I know that PIM has been taken or sent—Queensland, Wales, Florida, London, foreign offices abroad, cricket clubs in Singapore and Britain.

We have listened in to the ABC guest speakers, or ABC “Notes on the News”, and have welcomed the inclusion of the PIM editor or other staffers to refresh us from the drones of the dons of the universities.

Please note your hard work is being appreciated in many more places than you know.

Even here in Canberra, PIM passes from me to several ex-Territorians, and there is a strong but silent “New Guinea association” which includes in its membership old New Guinea hands such as the Archers, Fishers, Noakes, to whom your journal must still go. It is indeed necessary for PIM to continue its dual role of informing Islanders and informing the world. It is even more important now, so do not restrict your sail cloth.

R. Eliot.

Canberra.

Niue Fights Back

I would like to comment on your report (PIM, Nov., p. 32) re garding New Zealand aid to Niue.

One must understand that any de veloping country needs help and Niue is no exception. The Niuean people appreciated very much the aids New Zealand has offered since the island was annexed in 1900. All New Zealand’s financial aids are highly respected by us, and are not going down the drain as a respected Suya citizen thinks. Anyone who visited Niue 10 years ago and sees it now can surely see the develop ment which has taken place. The island’s leaders are anxious to have something of their own in spite of New Zealand’s helping hand. And that’s what we are doing now; not just sitting back. We are New Zea land citizens and we are privileged to accept her assistance in the same way Fiji was helped by Britain. In fact, all territories in the Pacific region were helped by various met ropolitan governments.

Niue might change her mind in the future, but right now we are New Zealand Respected Citizens, and it hurts if “Mr. Respected Citizen of

Suva” expresses horror over things that don't concern him, especially when we are using New Zealand financial aids wisely.

H. P. Foliola.

Tuapa, Niue.

Return To Milne Bay

This year marks the 30th anniver sary of the defeat of the enemy in the Milne Bay area of Papua New Guinea.

A committee has been formed to commemorate the Anzac Day, and a 30th anniversary week has been planned for period September 6 to 13. The highlight of this week will be local participation in the weekend, culminating in the PNG National Day, September 11.

The committee is anxious tc attract as many ex - servicemen as possible, and would appreciate any publicity you could give in youi publication. The Australian Govern' pient has been approached to assist and an invitation has been extender to the US forces, as well as our own To date, we are concentrating or the Anzac Day Commemoration ser vices.

This year, as Anzac Day falls oi a Tuesday, it is proposed to hold ! ball in the Bay Theatre on Saturday April 22, and the Anzac Day wil consist of Dawn Service at Turnbul Field Memorial, followed by a gun fire breakfast at the Cameron Club The main parade and service will b held at 10.30 a.m. on the town oval adjacent to the new District Head quarters. An afternoon of sport band playing and a free film screen ing of war newsreels are offered.

Any persons desirous of attendin should contact the committee an arrangements will be made for accom modadon.

G. Masters

Anzac and 30th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, P.O. Box 28, Alotau, Milne Bay, Papua.

Sechstroh Identified

The Rev. A. H. Voyce (PIM, Nov p. 29) has been correctly informec the German’s Sechstrohfluss is th river now mapped as the Tami o the north coast of New Guinea, fiv miles west of the border with Wei Irian. See Otto Finsch, 189; Ethnologische Erfahrungen . . Wiei p. 182.

Ian Hughes

New Guinea Research Unit, Port Moresby.