Pacific Islands Monthly

Vol. XIII, No. 2 ( Sep. 17, 1942)
1942-09-17 · uncorrected OCR from NLA scans

PACIFIC ISLANDS Monthly September 17, 1942 VOL. XIII. NO. 2.

Established 1930 [ Registered at the G.P.0., Sydney, for transmission by post as a 8 d HELL in PARADISE The vicinity of Milne Bay, scene of recent bitter fighting, and the Islands studded sea to the eastwards of Papua, comprise one of the most beautiful sections of the South Pacific. This photograph shows part of the famous coral pathway around the lovely little island of Samarai, from which new vistas of islands and coastline are presented, every few steps. The entrance to Milne Bay is almost within sight of this spot.

Pacific Islands Monthly September, 194 2

Pacific News-Review

Notes And Comment On

The Progress Of The War

FROM AUG. 17 TO SEPT. 14 Aug. 17: The battle for possession of the Don bend, in southern Russia, has taken a critical turn—the Nazis have driven a wedge into Russian defences.

Probably, the historian of the future will say that this event opened the most critical phase of World War 11. Here, in the Eastern Ukraine, two great rivers flow, roughly, north and south—the Don into the Black Sea and the Volga into the Caspian. The Volga, carrying an immense river traffic, is literally the Russians’ life-line —along it come vital supplies of oil from the Caucasus and munitions from Britain and America, via Iran.

If the Germans get possession of these two rivers before the Russian winter closes down in October, Russia may be industrially and economically crippled.

If, on the other hand, the Russians can hold the tremendous German armies on the last defensible front represented by the Don and Volga Rivers {of which Stalingrad is the centre), then at last the Germans will be faced definitely with the prospect of defeat.

The battle for Stalingrad, therefore, has world-wide significance.

Aug. 18: The Japanese pressure in north-east Papua has been renewed, and the Japs have made a slight advance in the foothills of the Owen Stanley Range.

Aug. 18: Announced that Mr, Churchill is in Moscow and conferences are taking place between him and M. Stalin.

This announcement, and the subsequent announcement by Mr. Churchill that he and M. Stalin had reached a complete and harmonious understanding, has cleared away many doubts that were troubling the minds of war commentators. The Russians urgently have been demanding that Britain and America open a second front against Germany so as to relieve the pressure on the Don- Volga front; but the announcements indicate that the leaders have agreed upon a strategy which takes care of this Russian demand, Aug. 19: It is announced that the Americans, supported by Australian naval units, after intense preparation and a fortnight’s fighting, have regained possession of the Tulagi area of the Solomons from the Japs. HMAS “Canberra” (10,000 tons) was sunk.

Aug. 20: About 15,000 British made their biggest Commando raid on Dieppe area.

Aug. 20: The battle for Stalingrad has commenced.

Aug. 24: Brazil, owing to repeated sinkings of Brazilian coastal ships, declared war on Germany and Italy.

The entrance of Brazil into the war, like that of Mexico, means little in terms of men and armaments, but it does mean a good deal on the economic side, and also in relation to Atlantic strategy. The fact that Mexico is now one of the United Nations has helped the Allies considerably in meeting the submarine menace in the Carribean Sea and Central Atlantic —Allied warships can use Mexican ports as freely as their own.

Similarly, Brazil’s decision means not only that the very considerable numbers of Germans, Italians and Japanese who have been carrying on pro-Axis activities in Brazil will be removed, but also that Brazilian ports will be available to Allied warships engaged on the submarine hunt in the narrowest (and therefore a most important ) part of the Atlantic—that is, between the Brazilian coast of South America and the coast, of West Africa.

The fact that Brazil is now a United Nation belligerent will affect the situation in West Africa. The Germans will put pressure on Vichy to permit them to occupy and fortify Dakar, which directly faces Brazil, on the West African side of the Atlantic.

Aug. 26: Duke of Kent killed in air accident while on his way to Iceland.

Aug. 27: Japanese were defeated in air and naval counter-attacks against Americans in Solomons. * Aug. 25: Thirteen Jap aircraft were shot down in stratosphere battle over Darwin.

Aug. 26: Japanese landed at Milne Bay, but are meeting with resistance from Australian ground troops and Allied aircraft.

Aug. 26: Enemy naval force which approached Guadalcanal, BSI, was so badly hammered that it withdrew.

Aug. 28: RAF made 500-bombers raid on Kassel, in south Prussia, centre of the Herschel locomotive works.

Aug. 28: Red Air Force bombed Berlin.

Night after night, week after week, with such monotonous regularity that the event is losing its news-value and is not prominently displayed in the newspapers, the RAF is systematically attacking and demolishing the ports and industrial cities of Western Germany. If, as is believed, these operations are being carried out on a co-ordinated plan, the destruction of the German railway transport system, as well as the industrial system is systematically proceeding.

Two important developments have recently taken place in these raids upon Germany—increasing numbers of very powerful American aircraft are cooperating with the RAF, but operating as independent American units under American command; and large numbers of Russian bombers, coming from the east, are frequently attacking cities in eastern Prussia and in Hungary, and are occasionally bombing Berlin itself.

Aug. 31: Japanese, with a cruiser and eight destroyers, landed reinforcements at Milne Bay, under cover of bad weather.

Sept. 1: Falling into a carefully-laid trap, Japanese invaders have been driven into the northern peninsula at Milne Bay and are being systematically exterminated by Australians. Some may have been evacuated under cover of darkness.

Sept. 1: Japanese Foreign Minister Togo resigned for “personal reasons,” and is replaced by Premier Tojo. This is thought to indicate Japan’s intention to attack Siberia.

Observers in many countries, especially in China, have been insisting that all signs indicate Japan’s determination to attack Russia, through Siberia, at an early date.

It is believed that Japan had agreed to attack Russia in this way as soon as the Germans had taken Stalingrad and. secured command of the Volga. Obviously, there has been a considerable delay in the German campaign in south Russia and this may have knocked out Japan’s Siberian schedule.

The probability of a Japanese attack on Vladivostock and the peninsula behind that city, which so clearly menaces Japan from the air-raid point of view, may now be regarded as disappearing, with the approach of winter. Japan may contemplate a winter campaign in this country, but it is unlikely. Therefore, Japanese forces will probably be diverted from Siberia to the attack against China, India and Australia.

Sept. 2; Communiques report persistent enemy infiltration in Kokoda area of Papua.

Sept. 2: Germans increase pressure, but Stalingrad still holds.

Sept. 4: Rommel attempts an advance and fighting flares up again in Egypt.

Allied guns and planes are pounding Axis forces.

Sept. 5: Enemy concentrations have been withdrawn in Egypt, but a new German drive is expected. British are attacking.

Sept. 9: Japanese now are near the Gap, in Owen Stanley Range, beyond Kokoda.

Sept. 9; Britain presents cruiser Shropshire” to Australia, to take place of sunken “Canberra.”

Sept. 11: Two-way bombing of Gerniauy, by the RAF and the Russian Air Force, is now almost a nightly occurrence.

Sept. 14: Japanese have crossed Owen Stanley Range, and are on southern slopes overlooking Papua, 40 miles from Port Moresby. Allied aircraft are strikmg constantly at the Japanese base at Buna.

Sept. 14; Japanese, with strong naval, air and military forces, have launched heavy counter-attack on newly-won American positions in and near Guadalcanal, BSI. The battle is still going on. traders busy in new CALEDONIA Acute Lock of Small Change Prom Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA, August 10.

THE lack of small change in this Colony has been acute since the arrival of the American Forces. To overcome the shortage, the local Treasury is issuing paper money (bons de caisse) the value of which will be the same as the coin currency, namely 2 francs, 1 franc and 50 centimes. These a £ e k Ol P£ printed locally, and the value of the issue will be 250,000 francs.

Cafes, and fruit-juice and sandwich bars for the men of the American Forces are being opened everywhere, and there are numerous applications still to be dealt with-—for a licence is necessary for such a business. The word “Hamburger” has appeared for the first time on a Noumea shop-window.

A French military camp in New Caledonia has been named Camp Lieutenant- Colonel Broche, after the leader of the Free French Pacific Battalion, killed at Bir Hakheim, Libya. 3 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1542

Useful Addresses

rE following are the Sydney addresses of organisations set up temporarily to deal with Pacific Territories affairs —and especially matters connected with the evacuation of the Territories.

Papua, New Guinea, Nauru

NORFOLK IS.

Department of External Territories (Sydney Branch) (Lately the New Guinea Trade Agency), Australia House, Carrington Street, Sydney.

Telephone: BW 1776. (Dealing with all matters connected with the Australian Pacific Territories and also the Sydney representative of the New Guinea Copra Control Committee.)

British Solomon Islands

Sydney Office of British Solomon Islands Government, (In charge of Mr. F. E. Johnson, Treasurer of the Solomons Administration), 17 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.

Telephone: B 1710.

Gilbert And Ellice, And

OCEAN IS.

Sydney Office of Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony (In charge of Mr. S. G. Clarke, Acting Resident Commissioner of G. and E. Administration), Bank of New Zealand Building, George Street, Sydney. Telephone: B 2209.

For Pacific Territories

Evacuees Generally

Pacific Territories Association (C. A. M. Adelskold, Secretary), c/o Robert Gillespie Pty., Ltd., 54a Pitt Street, Sydney, Telephone: BW 4782.

STEAMSHIPS TRADING CO.

OF PAPUA Sydney Office: Nelson and Robertson Pty., Ltd., Telephone: B 6461. 12 Spring Street, Sydney. & P A\ Uttiu . As ov er ' j \n tVv® A«*\sL' t ' e^ **-c» -*• \tt * e &&**■ d s erv^ s - ~ 50 ... *' ** w ;S" '*??>'** l taW' eA O b ' e ’ er iaV ‘ M 6 pe ns f • fate£ Contents Fourth Year of War 5 Second Battle of Solomon Is 6 Fiji’s New Governor 7 Death of Rev. H. Matthews 7 Copra Market 7 War Damage in British Territories .. 8 Battle of Owen Stanley Range .... 8 Problems of the Territories Evacuees 9 New Guinea Women’s Club 9 This Shark-fishing Business 10 Is it a Whale? 12 Eric Ramsden Farewelled 14 The NG Patrols 15 Leaseholders Are Protected 16 Fish Drive in Rotuma 17 Britain Now One of the Mightiest Striking Powers in Battle History 18 "Home-brew” on Tongan Front .. .. 26 “Them Eunuchs” 27 Federation of English-speaking World 27 Tonga’S Holy War 28 Over the Border! 30 Late J. H. L. Waterhouse 31 Roll of Honour 32 Battle at Milne Bay 35 N. Caledonia’s New Governor 36 Early Settlers in Woodlark Is 37 109,000 Japs Removed 39 GENERAL MEETING OF P.T.

ASSOCIATION A GENERAL meeting of members of the Pacific Territories Association will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at 8 p.m., at the Teachers’

Federation Hall, 166 Phillip Street, Sydney.

Mr. George Bayer, well-known over many years as manager of the principal hotels in Port Moresby, is now manager of a cinema theatre at Crow’s Nest, Sydney.

ADVERTISERS Angus & Coote Ltd. 43 Atkins Pty. Ltd., Wm 28 Baker Ltd., W. Jno. 39 Broomfields Ltd. . . 26 Brown & Co. Ltd., G 15 Brunton’s Flour . . 32 B.P. (S.S.) Co. . . . 18 Burns, Philp Trust Co. Ltd 17 Carlton & United Breweries Ltd. . . 21 Carpenter Ltd., W.

R cov. 4 Chivers & Sons Ltd. 34 Coleman Lamp & Stove Co 31 Colonial Wholesale Meat Co 23 “Cystex” 41 Donaghy & Sons Ltd 38 Donald Ltd., A. B. . 30 Dr. Williams Pink Pills 31 Electrolux Refrigerators ... 20 Excelsior Supply Co.

Ltd 13 “Flit” 36 Garrett & Davidson 38 Gilbey’s Gin .... 41 Gillespie’s Flour . . 44 Gourock Ropes & Canvas Ltd. ... 45 Grand Pacific Hotel 2 Grove & Sons, W.

H 16 Hemingway & Robertson Ltd. . 12 Holbrook’s Ltd. . . 35 Horlicks Malted Milk 14 International Correspondence School 22 Kopsen & Co. Ltd. . 37 Kambala School for Girls 16 Masse Batteries . . 27 Maxwell Porter Ltd. 29 “Mendaco” .... 42 Miller & Co. Pty.

Ltd 26 Nelson & .Robertson Pty. Ltd 26 Noyes Bros. Ltd. . . 39 Old Monk Olive Oil . . 16, 18, 37, 44 Pacific Islands Year Book 11 Pacific Is. Society . 42 “Pinkettes” .... 40 Prescott Ltd. . . .34 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies Ltd. . . 45 Rlvertstone Meat Co.

Ltd 33 Rohu, Sil 42 Rose’s Eye Lotion 42 Scott Ltd., J. ... 42 Steamships Trading Co. Ltd 22 Sullivan & Co. ... 46 Swallow & Ariell . . 19 Taylor & Co., A. . . 45 “Tenax” Soap ... 40 Tillock & Co. Ltd. . 32 Union Assurance Society Ltd. ... 15 “Vi-stim” 36 Wills Ltd., W. D. & H. 0 30 Wright & Co. Ltd., E 29 Wunderlich Ltd. . . 29 4 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1942

Pacific Islands Monthly The Newspaper-Magazine of the South Seas [.Registered at the G.P.0., Sydney, for transmission by post as a newspaper .] Published Once Each Month and Circulated in Australia and New Zealand and in the following Pacific Territories and Islands Groups: Australian Territory of Papua.

Mandated Territory (Australia) of New Guinea.

Australian Territory of Norfolk Island.

New Zealand Territory of Cook Islands.

Mandated Territory (NZ) of Western Samoa.

British Colony of Fiji.

British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

British Protectorate of Tongan Islands.

British Crown Colony of Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

Mandated Territory of Nauru.

British and Free French Condominium of New Hebrides.

Free French Colony of New Caledonia.

Free French Colony of Oceania (Tahiti, etc.).

American Territory of Eastern Samoa.

American Territory of Hawaiian Islands.

Owned and Produced by Pacific Publications Pty. Ltd., Union House, 247 George Street, Sydney.

TELEPHONE f Managing Director ~ BW 5037 1 Business and Editorial MA 4369 P.O. BOX 3408 R Registered Address of Telegrams, Radiograms, and Cables: “Pacpub”, Sydney.

CONTRIBUTIONS.

Articles, Stories, and Photographs dealing with Pacific Islands subjects are invited and will be paid for on publication.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES.

Per Annum, within British Empire, Prepaid, Post Free 8/- Per Annum, elsewhere, prepaid, Post Free. 107- Single Copies Bd.

Editor and Publisher: R. W. ROBSON, F.R.G.S.

Advertising Manager; L. W. Bailey.

Advertising Office and Printing-House: 29 Alberta Street, Sydney.

Advertising rates furnished on application.

Colours, etc., by arrangement.

Process Blocks made at Advertiser’s expense when required. Screen 100.

Changes of Advertising Copy should reach this office by Ist of each month, otherwise previous advertisement may be repeated.

REPRESENTATIVE IN LONDON.

W. C. Harvey, Coronation House, 4 Lloyds Avenue, London, E.C.3, from whom may be obtained copies of Pacific Islands Monthly, Pacific Is. Year Book, advertising schedules, etc.

AGENTS.

The following are authorised to receive subscriptions for Pacific Islands Monthly:— Burns, Philp & Co., Ltd., and Burns Philp (South Sea) Co., Ltd. All branches.

W. R. Carpenter & Co., Ltd. All branches.

Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd. All branches.

Steamships Trading Co., Papua. All branches.

B.N.G. Trading Co., Ltd., Port Moresby, Papua.

J. Muir, Suva, Fiji.

Miss R. Castles, Suva, Fiji.

N. C. Mackenzie Hunt, Wainunu, Bua, Fiji.

Kirpal & Co., Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji.

Cook Islands Trading Co., Rarotonga, Cook Is.

A. C. Rowland, Papeete, Tahiti.

Islands Branches and Representatives of W. H.

Grove & Sons, Ltd,* Auckland, New Zealand.

Ed. Pentecost, Noumea, New Caledonia.

Kerr & Co., Noumea, New Caledonia.

Vol. xm. No. 2.

September 17, 1 942 Pi- ( Bd. Per Copy, rnce [ Prepaid: 87- p.a.

Three Years Of War — And A Grim

PROSPECT A YEAR ago, we faced the third year of the war with confidence —and even with some hope that 1942 might see the end. To-day, we go on into the fourth year of war with hope and confidence undimmed, but chastened by memories of many recent defeats and disasters, and by the knowledge that, if we are to survive as a free people—or, indeed, survive at all—we shall need all our courage, all our skill and organising genius, all our capacity for sacrifice.

Looking back over the events of 1939-42, we can but marvel at the miracle of our survival. According to every Hitlerian calculation, we should long ago have ceased to exist as a great nation and a free people; and that gentleman’s calculations have been horribly accurate. We could have been left helpless at Dunkirk— but our armies escaped. We could have been over-run and enslaved in the autumn of 1940; but somehow our little RAF defied and defeated the mighty Luftwaffe. We could have been starved into submission by the submarines in 1941: but our merchant ships got through. We should have been crushed under the double weight of Germany and Japan in 1942—f0r now there is no doubt whatever that the Axis conspired to smash Russia in 1941, and destroy Britain in 1942, while scaring United States into nonbelligerency. But Russia survived, the time-table of the Axis plot was dislocated, and there descended upon Tokio a madness which induced the Japanese war-lords to launch upon the United States an attack so treacherous in character that it brought the Americans instantly to the side of Britain and Russia, more united in anger and war than they ever were in peace.

That, in actual fact, was the greatest miracle of all. If Japan had held back her greedy hand, the United States would have come eventually into the war, but might not have been the united, hard-hitting, grimly resolute people whom we know to-day. Until Japan’s treachery made the issue clear even to the poorest intelligence, there were tens of millions of Americans who could see no real reason for active belligerency. A disunited United States would have been a poor ally; but now, thanks to Japan, a united USA is a sure guarantee of victory. We hope that Tokio, some day, will appreciate that bit of grim humour.

A YEAR ago, in 1941, we hoped that Japan, fearing America, might remain merely a sleeping partner of the Axis, and stay out of the war. We know now that that hope was foolish and uninformed. Japan and Germany had long been in agreement concerning what they were going to do, and when they were going to do it.

For at least four years before she struck, Japan was training her troops for tropical jungle warfare and islands-hopping, and preparing her navy and air force, with great forethought and meticulous detail, for the day when she would seize the Indonesian and Pacific territories of Britain, France and Holland. Germany and Italy were to destroy France and the small democracies; Germany was to destroy Russia; Germany and Japan were to destroy Britain. If the United States did not quietly accept a fait accompli, she was to be crippled by a vast, wellorganised Fifth Column.

We need only read the history of the black months of this black year to realise how nearly the Axis plot succeeded. We have lost Hongkong, Malaya, Singapore, Burma, Borneo, New Guinea and the Solomons; and our Allies have lost the Philippines and the Netherlands Indies. We have lost important sources of supply of such commodities as rubber, tin, copra, tea, petroleum, rice. The submarine threat to our water-borne transport, which seemed conquered a year ago, is as grave to-day as it ever was.

TTOWEVER, we still survive, and still -■-A are capable of creating the forces and the weapons which ultimately will destroy the Axis. The United Nations have lost the most valuable part of European Russia, and all their Indonesian Empire; but no other part of their vast territories is in enemy hands. The spirit of our peoples is high, and unconquerable; our endless

resources of men and materials are being organised; all our industries, and our economic, political and social systems are being geared to war on a scale never known before in human history.

But—how slowly! The years pass, and still we are on the defensive. In organisation and production for war.

Hitler’s Huns still are far ahead of us. The little, Robot-like men of Japan, having all the advantages of four years’ preparation, remain triumphantly in occupation of Southeast Asia and our North-west Pacific, gloating over what they believe to be an epoch-making defeat of the hitherto invincible European. Is it any wonder that many people, knowing that we really have within us the high spirit and unquenchable resolve that is the will to victory, become angry as the passing months bring us no victories, and accuse our leaders of fumbling and futility?

There is only one course open to the peoples of the United Nations.

They must wait while millions of men are transferred from peacetime industries to new and unaccustomed wartime duties; to wait while hundreds of thousands of technicians and tens of thousand of officers are trained in the complex arts of modern war; to wait while every aspect of our daily lives is altered, so that all the nation’s activities can be harnessed to and co-ordinated in the supreme purpose of winning the war and retaining our freedom. They must be patient while our Governments, by a painful process of trial and error, find men capable of directing and leading our vast, new wartime forces.

If that waiting involves much suffering and sacrifice, mental as well as physical, all must be accepted philosophically. There is no alternative. A weakening of our spirit now will spell defeat, the destruction of our nation and our cherished institutions, centuries of slavery under creatures like Hitler and Himmler, or outright extermination by the barbarian Japs. But a grim and unbreakable resolution, now, surely will carry us through this, the greatest crisis in the history of mankind.

A YEAR ago, we hoped for victory and the end of the war “in 1942 or 1943.” Now, we know that there is little likelihood of an early termination of the struggle—if we are to survive. The events of 1942 have altered the whole outlook. The United Nations cannot develop their maximum strength for a couple of years yet. Meanwhile, Germany holds all Europe enslaved and, using her colossal genius in organisation, is transforming Europe into one vast armaments factory. Japan, in 1942, is being outbuilt and outfought by the United States. But Japan, with feverish haste, is organising for war purposes the resources of the great new empire she has seized; and she now has at her command 90,000,000 Japanese and over 100,000,000 Indonesians.

While we organise and strive and build, the Axis Powers, with many years’ start over us, also are organising, and striving and building. Can any sane man see, in such circumstances, an early end of this war?

Comparisons with 1914-18 are useless. Then, our enemy really was blockaded. To-day, Germany and Japan is each in command of a selfcontained world of its own, and can defy any blockade. Neither can be put under economic pressure, while it holds its present territories. Each can be defeated only by overwhelming force—and that force eventually will come from the skies. Such an air force cannot be created in a year or two.

Britain held the Hun in 1940.

Russia has held him in 1941 and 1942.

United States and Britain, after grievous losses, have held the Jap in 1942. In 1943, Britain and America must hold the Hun in Europe and the Jap in the Pacific, while they are arming China, building up their air fleets and giving Russia a chance to recover. Beyond that, it is impossible to see.

W. R. CARPENTER & CO. LTD.

Effect of War on Turnover ALTHOUGH the operations of W. R.

Carpenter & Co., Ltd., in New Guinea, Solomons and Gilbert Islands have ceased entirely, owing to the Japanese invasion, the company disclosed a net profit of £66,280 for the year ended June 30 last, compared with £115,989 for the previous year; and the accounts generally indicate much internal strength.

With £90,562 brought forward from last year, the directors had £156,842 available for distribution; but they wisely decided to cut the dividend down to 5 per cent. (£38,750), and to carry £118,092 forward into the current year.

The net profit was arrived at in spite of very heavy wartime costs, which included £23,264 for taxation and a sum of £26,706 placed to one side to cover debts which are now considered irrecoverable “owing to war conditions having forced individuals from their industries and peacetime occupations.”

The sum of £25,000, which was set aside some time ago to meet additional taxation, has not been drawn upon, and remains in the company’s accounts as a taxation contingency.

The directors, in their annual report, make the following interesting comments;— “Declarations have been lodged with the War Damage Commission for all assets capable of being contributed for under the regulations.

“The company’s shipping operations continue to function satisfactorily. One small motor ship was lost by enemy action during the year, but was covered by War Risk insurance.

“The air service to New Guinea has been suspended, and our aircraft nlant and equipment are now employed on work of national importance. Operating results have, for the year, proved satisfactory. We regret to record the deaths of Captain E. D. Crisp and First Officer C. Bernard whilst engaged on work of national service, which resulted in the loss of one of our Lockheed aircraft.

“The Southern Pacific Insurance Co.

Ltd, has continued to make progress, and paid a dividend of 7 per cent, for the year ended March 31, 1942.

“Cur Fijian subsidiary, w. R. Carpenter & Co. (Fiji) Ltd., made very satisfactory progress during the year, and paid a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year ended March 31, 1942, on ordinary shares.”

The chairman of the company, Sir Walter Carpenter, is still in Canada, where the company is interested in the operation of Canada’s only copra-crushing enterprise, and Mr. R. B. Carpenter is acting-chairman.

Second Battle of the Solomons Japs Launch Heavy Attacks From September 12-15 ON the night of Saturday, September 12, the Japanese, using reinforced infantry, aircraft and warships, commenced a heavy attack in an attempt to recapture, from the Americans, the sections of Guadalcanal which the Americans took from the Japanese in August. (See “First Battle of Solomons,” on page 24.) The Japanese have directed their principal effort towards the recapture of the airfield, which the Japanese constructed, and which the Americans appear to have been using very effectively as a base against Japanese-held positions in Gizo, Faisi, the coast of Ysabel, and even as far north as Bougainville.

On the night of the 12th, Jap surface vessels shelled American positions, and there was considerable fighting. On the 13th, two flights of about 28 bombers each, supported by fighters, attacked the Guadalcanal airfield; and four bombers and four fighters were destroyed.

On the night of the 13th, the American positions were again shelled by surface craft, and American troops became heavily engaged with Japanese land forces who tried to capture the airfield. The Japanese were defeated.

On the 14th, another flight of 28 bombers, with fighters, attacked Guadalcanal, and the Americans shot down one bomber and five fighters.

The Japs, in this fighting, lost 21 planes in five days.

The battle was still going on on the 15th, with the Americans still holding their positions.

Press messages from Hawaii, on September 16, expressed the view that a naval battle, on a major scale, is imminent in the Solomons region.

Will There Be Another

" HMS FIJI"?

WHEN, in 1939, Britain decided to name a new cruiser “HMS Fiji” the people of Fiji decided to express their pleasure by presenting to the cruiser the following articles: a silver kava bowl, suitable for use as a punchbowl; a silver bell, which was to hang on the quarter-deck: and two silver bugles.

War broke out before the formal presentation took place; and, subsequently, “HMS Fiji” was lost in one of the battles off Crete.

Since then the articles have been stored in England, with the intention of returning them to Fiji after the war.

The hope has been expressed, however, that another new British cruiser will be named “Fiji.” 6 SEPTEMBER. 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

Per Ton.

Plantation Grade £18 5 0 Fair Merchantable Sundried .. 17 0 0 Undergrade 16 15 0

New Governor

OF FIJI Application to Wartime Task ON assuming duty in Suva as Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Major-General Sir Philip Mitchell, KCMG, sent the following message to Admiral Nimitz, USN, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Navy in the Pacific:— “I have assumed duty as Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. I take this opportunity to assure you of the whole-hearted cooperation in the prosecution of the war of the people and Government of the Colony and High Commission.—Mitchell.”

The following reply was received from Admiral Nimitz:— “Extend you a hearty welcome and best wishes for success as Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. Your assurance of cooperation is appreciated and reciprocated It may rightly be said that we stand shoulder to shoulder against the enemy —Nimitz.”

ALL reports from the Central Pacific agree that Sir Philip Mitchell has created a favourable impression there. The personality of the man who fills this high post always is a matter of public interest. He exercises almost dictatorial powers, and his wisdom, no less than his temper, is a matter of vital concern to a large body of public servants, as well as to the various non- Pacific and Pacific communities over whom he rules.

Sir Philip is a strong and vigorous man, who informed the people of Fiji, immediately on his arrival, that he had come to the South Pacific “to wage war”; and he certainly is acting up to the standard he set himself.

The “New Zealand Herald” has quoted the following description of the new Governor from a book “Behind God’s Back,” by Negley Farson:— “In a Government seat full of pukka sahibs whose complacency was painful; in a stifling setting like this (which you, and the natives, must endure around the globe wherever it is painted red), it was stimulating to encounter once again, one of those ‘characters’ in the British overseas services who are the vertebrae of its unbreakable backbone. Men, usually at the top, keep themselves physically and therefore mentally fit, and are consequently several mental jumps ahead ol the class-obsessed ‘gentlemen’ under them. Governor Sir Philip Euen Mitchell was like this.”

THE new Governor pleased Suva soon after his arrival when, instead of waiting at Government House to receive representations from the Suva Chamber of Commerce, he asked the permission of the Chamber to meet the members at their rooms in the town and discuss with them certain wartime matters of special interest to the trading community.

The Governor was welcomed on behalf of the Chamber by Mr. Alport Barker, vice-president. He informed the Governor that the Chamber was established in 1902, and that it had sought always to assist the Governor in dealing with the affairs of the Colony, and he assured His Excellency that in the present world crisis the Chamber would do everything to support him in his most difficult task.

The Governor, in brief and simple words, dealt with the war situation as they saw it in Fiji. He said that we had to realise that we are by no means on the doorstep to victory—victory could be achieved, but there still was a steep rocky stepe to climb, with hard fighting sacrifice and bloodshed ahead. He proposed shortly to call upon the civilian population, not already engaged in warduties, to undertake arduous work on the civil side.

Rev. H. Matthews

Well-loved Port Moresby Rector Missing Through Enemy Action RESIDENTS of Papua will learn with deep regret of the death of the Rev.

H. Matthews, well-known and highly-esteemed Rector of St. John’s, Port Moresby, during the past 14 years.

Prior to his appointment to Port Moresby in 1928, Mr. Matthews was superintendent of the Mitchell River Mission. He was . ordained there in 1919, and in 1924 he was appointed Rector at Cooktown, Queensland, where he remained until he and his family were sent to Papua. Here he endeared himself to every section of the community and (to quote an ex-Port Moresby resident) “he lived up to the best traditions of bush missionaries—a great chap.”

He did much for the Australian soldiers stationed in the town in recent years; and, after the Japanese invasion of New Guinea and the evacuation of all civilians from the Territories, he became senior chaplain to the Forces.

Mr. Matthews was acting in this capacity when he met his death. The headquarters of the Anglican Mission in Sydney were informed by the military authorities, on August 13, that he was “missing, presumed drowned,”

He was transferring a party of halfcastes from Port Moresby to another station down the coast when the small trading vessel on which they were travelling was sunk by enemy action, and, of the whole party, only a half-caste reached land.

He leaves one son, who is serving in the Forces in Papua, and three daughters. One daughter married Mr. Jack Frame, son of the manager of the BNG Trading Company, just before the Pacific war.

It will be remembered that the late Mrs. Matthews met a tragic death from electrocution some 18 months ago, when, due to some fault in the wiring of the Port Moresby Rectory, a clothes line became electrified.

COPRA Urgent Demand on "Controlled" But Rising Market rERE has been little change in the copra situation. The demand is far in excess of the available supply, but the market price is being sternly controlled by the Governments of the United Nations, and supplies are being rationed.

The official price (fixed by the British authority in Suva) is (in Fijian currency) :— The average price of New Caledonian copra in Sydney in August was £20 per ton, although some had been sold as high as £30.

It has been stated in some quarters that copra is being bought and sold in Australia and the United States at prices considerably the official price.

Coconut planters in New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and French Oceania are getting the full benefit of the high price. The chief copra-producing territories of New Guinea, Solomons, Philippines and East Indies are in Japanese occupation, and the owners of plantations there are getting no benefit whatever.

A Fiji Grievance

THERE is bitter feeling in many parts of Fiji because, just at a time when the coconut planters, after suffering many lean years, have a chance of making substantial profits from their products, all their available labour is being drawn away to Suva and other districts, to be used on Governmental and defence works.

Everyone in the Colony with coconut palms is doing his utmost to produce copra, which is in urgent demand and may be regarded as a wartime necessity.

The native Fijians are in a good position, because they have their own co-operative village labour; but the European planters, who customarily depend upon a certain surplus of Fijian village labour, are unable to obtain any labour at all, and are just doing the best they can with the very limited resources available to them in and near their own plantations.

It is recognised that defence and Governmental needs are paramount; but it is felt that there has been a lack of organisation and co-ordination in relation to this matter—that it should have been possible to meet defence requirements, while allotting a certain proportion of available labour to the plantations.

STATISTICS in Fiji, since the inception of the Government plan of purchasing copra, show that, between the purchase of the copra from the producers and the shipment of same, there was an average shrinkage of 1.8 per cent. m Plantation grade copra and 2.8 per cent, in FMS copra. The Suva copra authority handled 1,684 tons of Plantation grade and 2,180 tons of FMS grade, and the total obtained for the copra, over and above the guaranteed price, was £4.047, or an average of nearly £1 per ton.

Sir Philip Mitchell. 7 Pacific islands monthly September, i 5 ,42

Tahitians Give Lives For Free France TAHITI, July 25.

AN unpretentious notice in the local, Government - owned newspaper brought the first full impact of the war to Tahiti.

Headed simply “Deaths for France,” the announcement read; “The Governor of the French Establishments of Oceania has the sad duty of bringing to the population of French Oceania news of the death on the field of honour of volunteers Trom the Batallion of the Pacific, the names of which follow: — Seargant Louis Holozet.

Ist class soldier Huriaau Onuu. 2nd class soldier Tetautaurii Puarii Maratai. 2nd class soldier Tahua Nahenahe Path. 2nd class soldier Tufariu Maere.

“The chief of the colony expresses to the families his most sincere condolences.”

Native himaas and religious services were held for the individuals in their respective districts, while a collective service was held later at the Paofai school in Papeete.

The deaths occurred at the great battle of Bir Hacheim, in Libya, where Free French forces made a spectacular stand late in June. They represent Tahiti’s first casualties in the w 7 ar.

War Damage

British Colonial Authority Announces Policy THE following announcement, published in Suva on August 8, applies to Fiji and to all the territories under the High Commission of the Western Pacific (Solomons, Gilbert & Ellice, Tonga, Pitcairn) : “His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom have found it necessary to review the whole question of war damage in the Colonies. The following statement is published for general information: — “It will be the general aim of His Majesty’s Government after the war that, with a view to the well-being of the people and the resumption of productive activities, property and goods destroyed or damaged in the Colonial Empire should be replaced or repaired to such an extent and over such period of time as resources permit. If the resources of any part of the Colonial Empire are insufficient to enable this purpose to be achieved without aid, His Majesty’s Government would be ready to give what assistance they can in conjunction with such common funds or organisations as may be established for post-war reconstruction.”

PERFORATED!

THIS happened in Vanua Levu, Fiji.

A Euronesian entered a store, hesitated. and asked for “a tin of perforated milk.”

The storekeeper chewed hard, swallowed twice, and then gave him what he wanted —namely, a tin of evaporated milk.

Battle Of Owen Stanley Range

Japs Make Extraordinary Effort to Attack P. Moresby in Rear WAR developments in the New Guinea- Papua-Solomons area during the past month have been important and significant. They may be summarised thus:— SOLOMONS: The Americans, in the First Battle of the Solomons, threw the Japanese out of the Tulagi area and occupied positions of considerable strategical importance. The Japanese, in the Second Battle in the Solomons, are using considerable forces in trying to recover these lost positions. The first battle of the Solomons is described on page 24, and the second battle, now proceeding, on page 6.

PAPUA—MILNE BAY: The Japanese made a landing here, in Eastern Papua, apparently as part of a plan to develop a new attack on Port Moresby and the Australian coast. They trapped and severely defeated. The Battle of Milne Bay is described on page 35.

PAPUA—OWEN STANLEY RANGE: Defeated at Milne Bay, the Japanese, from the Buna area of North-eastern Papua, thrust strongly and fiercely across the Owen Stanley Range, at the Kokoda Gap, and the Australians retired to the southern slopes of the Owen Stanley Range, where the fighting is now proceeding. This operation is described in the following article. rE Battle of the Owen Stanley Range may be shown in the following chronological order.

Tuesday, July 21. —Jap convoy seen off Ambasi- Buna coast, and attacked.

July 22—Japs land about 2,000 men at Gona, near Buna. Our planes attack incessantly.

One 8.000 ton transport sunk.

July 23.—Five plane attacks by our planes—an oil transport probably destroyed.

July 26. —Allied patrols clash with Japs at Awala,. 22 miles inland, on Buna-Kokoda track.

July 27.—Clashes at Oivi, 55 miles inland, near Kokoda.

July 28.—Clashes at Kokoda.

July 29'.—Close skirmishes in Kokoda area.

July 30.—Jap transport apparently destroyed 100 miles off coast.

August 4. —All quiet in Kokoda area. Enemy apparently has received reinforcements.

August 18.—Enemy renews pressure at Kokoda.

August 26-September I.—Japs land at Milne Bay, and are heavily defeated.

September 2.—Enemy commences attack at Kokoda.

September 9.—Enemy reported on top of Owen Stanley Range.

September 14.—Enemy on southern slopes of Owen Stanley Range, overlooking Central Papua.

Australians made little attempt to hold the region between Kokoda and Buna. Obviously, they could not offer any strong resistance in this region because they had to depend for their sunnlies upon lines of carriers, using the extremely difficult track over the Owe-n Stanlev Range, between Kokoda and Port Moresby. So they fell back into the foothills of the Owen Stanley Range, near Kokoda. and the Japanese, receiving supplies by sea from Salamaua or Rabaul, advanced from Buna up to Kokoda and established themselves there.

In the latter part of August, the Japanese apparently planned to make two land thrusts at Port Moresby—one across the Owen Stanley Range, at Kokoda, and the other from the direction of Milne Bay. Their plans went seriously wrong at Milne Bay at the end of August, however, when their Milne Bay expedition was smashed by the Australians. Thereupon they very quickly developed a powerful thrust, from a point on the Owen Stanley Range, near Kokoda.

Most people who knew the country expected the Australians to hold the mountain tops, and what is called the Gap, south-westwards of Kokoda, against the Japanese. But, to their surprise, the Japanese, using jungle infiltration methods and outflanking tactics, creeping up and down the precipitous slopes of the razor-back ridges, fighting like fanatics in the dense jungle and deep gorges, slowly forced the Australians back to the southern slopes of the Owen Stanley Range, and obtained possession of the Gap.

They now are astride the Owen Stanley Range, in the vicinity of the Gap, and it is expected that they will make an attempt to drive down on Port Moresby from this position.

IT is reported by the various correspondents that the Australians still hold a number of the high, precipitous ranges which lie between the Gap and the more open jungle country which runs on to Port Moresby, and that the Japanese, in order to dislodge the Australians from these strong positions, will have to bring across the Owen Stanley Range reinforcements, heavy munitions and some considerable equipment.

This will not be an easy task—but the Japanese are experts in handling tasks that are not easy.

The two factors in favour of the Australian defenders are that the Japanese have to haul everything up the long jungle track from Buna to Kokoda, and then across the mountains to their present positions; and the Allies, in this region, have definite air superiority, and daily and hourly are blasting the Japanese supply bases at Buna, and their sunply parties, who are working along the jungle tracks.

All observers are agreed that the Australian commanders appear confident that they can hold the Port Moresby area against any attack that the Japanese may develop from the Gap, in the Ow T en Stanley Range. (Continued on Page 41) Map of Kokoda area of north-eastern Papua. 8 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

New Guinea Women's Club Much Useful Work is Done Unostentatiously AS a result of the afternoon gathering organised by the New Guinea Women’s Club on August 29, over £27 has been added to club funds.

Something like 180 ex-New Guinea residents and their friends packed themselves into the Feminist Club rooms in King Street, Sydney, met old friends, exchanged tales of the evacuation (and after), and reminisced, as Territorians invariably do when they foregather.

Women’s Club members sold posies— the work of Mrs. E. Ormond, to whom great credit is due —and home-made sweets, attractively packed, and a musical programme was arranged for the visitors’ entertainment. The artists—Mrs. Edmund Hawnt, a violinist of outstanding ability, Miss Rae Smith, who sang, and Mrs.

Jones, who recited—had an enthusiastic and appreciative audience.

Mr. Sid Marshall acted as operator and commentator for some films of the goldfields in the early days of aerial transport. The films were loaned by Mr.

Colyer, of the well-known New Guinea firm of Colyer Watson, and they traced, mainly, the story of the Bulwa dredge, from the time it left the “Macdhui” at Lae, in crates and bits and pieces, until it was in full working order at Bulwa.

They showed also some intensely interesting sidelights on air-freighting in general. Shots of the country traversed on the flying routes—those between the goldfields and the coast, and between Port Moresby and Wau —must have given those who do not know the country an inkling of the conditions Allied soldiers and airmen are now up against, and the nroblems facing both defenders and invaders. Those to whom New Guinea means home—whoever may be in temporary possession—must have felt more than one heart-pang, as well-remembered landmarks and faces unfolded before them.

“Coons and Coconuts” (and, in the case of New Guinea, gold), are said to make up 99 per cent, of the Islands-dweller’s conversation. Unfortunately, it is a language that the Svdney-sider does not understand, and the Women’s Club is doing more good than is generally realised in providing opportunities for Territory residents to gather informally together and to keep their own particular interests alive. The Club also does an enormous amount of good work in other directions—work that is entirely unpublicised—and is deserving of support from every ex-Territorian.

Activities in Melbourne MELBOURNE has a New Guinea Women’s Association, which held its first meeting last November.

Members meet once a month, and on August 15, at Scott’s Hotel, there were 88 women present—also several old friends from the male population of the Territory. These latter included Graham Mirfield, Bill Fleming, Leo Bryant. Ernie Britten. Len Dean and Gordon Farmer.

The Association has sent away a number of parcels to NGVR personnel, and has made a donation to the Sydney fund.

It has also become a branch of. and is knitting for, the Australian Comforts Fund: and at present it is intended to raise more money to enable the Association to send a donation to the Red Cross Prisoner of War Fund.

There is a War Savings Group among the members and by this means a number of War Savings Certificates have been purchased.

The next meeting is to be held at Scott’s Hotel on September 19, and for Saturday, October 3, Mrs. E. L. Best has kindly loaned her home for an Australian Tea, to augment the funds.

Mrs. R. W. Cooper is the president of the Association; Mrs. F. G. Lewis, vicepresident; Mrs. Geoffrey Bliss, hon. secretary; Mrs. S. R. Best, hon. treasurer: and committee members are Mrs. E.

Britten, Mrs. J. McK. Gollan, Mrs. Roy Smith and Miss Mamie Felstead.

Any person interested may contact the secretary at No. 10 Grant Street, East Malvern, Melbourne,

Problems Of The Territories’

EVACUEES Minister's Assurance That "Matters Will Receive Consideration"

AFTER months of official shilly-shallying and delay, in the course of which evacuees despaired of ever inducing anyone in authority to give some attention to their economic plight, a deputation from the Pacific Territories Association at last succeeded in obtaining, on September 7, an interview with the Minister in Charge of Territories (Senator Fraser).

The members of the deputation were: E. A. James (president). N. C. Nelson (vice-president). C. A. M. Adelskold (secretary), T. L. Sefton, W. M. Middleton, T. Nevitt, J. Hinks.

Mr. J. R. Halligan, Secretary of the Department of External Territories, was present with the Minister.

The deputation sought official action concerning a large number of matters, which may be grouped under four general headings—namely, compensation for war damage; the plan of the military administration to take control of plantations and operate same, on a basis of paying the owners a percentage on the assessed capital value; the non-payment of moneys due by the Defence authorities and by the Territories Administrations: and the matter of planning for conditions in the Territories after the war.

War Damage Compensation

rE deputation pointed out that serious losses to residents of the Territories would be suffered as a result of looting, wilful damage, and consequential damage (depreciation, fire, etc.) not now covered under the National Security (War Damage) Regulations.

The Minister stated that inquiries now were being made into the matter of looting and wilful damage, and an early report was expected. He promised that the Government would give consideration to the question of amending the War Damage Regulations, or providing some other method of affording cover against these losses.

The deputation asked that where damage could be proved, tentative assessments be made as early as possible by the War Damage Commission, in order that claimants might be credited with interest as provided under the Regulations, and that contributions might cease; that refunds of cbntributions be made, where paid on property subsequently found to have been taken over by the Government, or for other reasons uninsurable; that War Damage contributions be advanced or deferred where property had been taken over by the Defence authorities or where owners were without necessary funds.

On all these matters the Minister promised to consult with the War Damage Commission and where possible assist evacuees.

Mr. Halligan stated he thought the matter of deferred payments of contributions had been arranged.

The deputation said that quite recently the Association had been informed that deferrment was not possible.

Property Control Order

THE deputation asked whether further consideration could be given to the Association’s proposals regarding the control of plantations and other property in the Territories, already submitted to the Federal Government.

The Minister said that consideration was now being given to the question of the control of properties and that, subject to the military position in the Territories, proposals would be formulated in this connection. He agreed that owners and other interested parties were entitled to know of, and to comment on, any such proposals, and that the Association would be informed as early as nossible. when such proposals were being formulated.

As regards compensation to owners, the Minister was asked whether anything had been under consideration; and, if not, whether this matter could be decided, apart from the general question of property control.

The Minister replied that, in his opinion. this could only be dealt with as part of the whole matter of control.

The possibility of owners being permitted to send to the Territories persons authorised to csrry out necessary work for the protection and maintenance of plantations, mines and other property, was raised.

The Minister said that this might be possible if such persons were members of the AMP. He would inquire into the matter.

Slow Payment Of Accounts

THE deputation very strongly urged that unreasonable delav had taken place in the payment of moneys due to Territories’ residents by the authorities for goods sold and impressed, for rents and services, for motor vehicles and vessels taken over, etc. It was pointed out that comparatively large sums were due to many evacuees, and had been due for periods of up to seven and eight months, and that this in some cases was causing unnecessary hardship. It was stated, in regard to vehicles taken over, that what were considered by owners to be totally inadequate values were placed on these by the authorities; and, when a protest was made, that was the last heard of it.

The Association, long ago, had suggested these accounts be dealt with by some officer in Sydney: and it again asked that this be considered.

The Minister stated that he believed that some undue delay had occurred in the payment of accounts, and he would take the matter up with the Departments concerned. He asked the Association to give him a list of persons awaiting pay- (Concluded on Page 13) 9 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1942

This Shark-Fishing Business

A Line-up on a Strange Pastime

By G. F. Russell, Suva, Fiji

rOM time to time, in this journal, you have carried articles touching on various aspects of commercial shark-fishing; and, as I recently spent some 18 months trying vainly to establish myself as the “shark king” of Fiji, some of your readers may be interested in my reactions to this odorous but exhilarating activity.

Perhaps a glance at early efforts to establish this industry is not out of place, as a commencement.

To the best of my knowledge, sharkfishing, as a separate industry, was first organised on a commercial basis some 25 years ago, early public companies operating on the coasts of Australia, Africa, the West Indies, and the United States.

The method of fishing was either with nets or set lines —mostly the former—and in nearly every case shore stations were set up and equipped with expensive plant designed to utilise the whole carcase — liver, hide, flesh, bones, fins, teeth, and whatnot.

However, although some remarkable catches were made, and dividends paid here and there for a season or two, none of these efforts was truly successful. But a good deal was learned.

Most important, perhaps, were the findings (a) that in cold climates the relatively short seasonal movements of sharks did not justify expensive and permanent shore stations, and (b) that in the tropics expensive shore stations were equally uneconomic because, operating in a big way with nets, the immediate vicinity would be “fished out” in a matter of months and the shore factory left idle in the middle of a comparatively sharkless area. This last was the rather embarrassing fate of at least one of the early Australian companies.

An interesting attempt to offset this lack of mobility was then made by converting a large steam yacht into a shark factory ship. The whole thing was cleverly planned to deal with every by-product in quick time, and exploit almost everything but the smell. But the vessel struck a reef on her maiden voyage, foundered—and that was that.

For many years little more was heard of costly shore-stations and factory ships, and the catching of sharks was largely left to professional fishermen and to some of the established fishery organisations that had equipped a part or the whole of their fishing fleets to cope with sharks in quantity when and where they were caught. Here and there, too, private individuals carried on in a small way with a trawler or lugger, some operating with a Government subsidy of so much per shark. The liver oil was then worth about 3/- to 5/- per gallon.

WITH the advent of World War 11, shark liver oil showed a healthy tendency to rise, and my partner and I became interested. At that time the then Governor of Fiji, Sir Harry Luke, had appointed Professor Hornell, of Madras, to investigate and report upon the commercial prospects of organised fishing in Fiji, with the laudable object of both exploiting and conserving the edible wealth in these waters.

Following some correspondence with the Fiji Government, it was arranged that I should make an initial survey of these waters in a vessel placed at our disposal and report upon the prospects of commercial shark-fishing. This I did, in June, 1940, receiving every assistance from the local authorities.

However, owing to the inevitable liabilities and commitments of war, the Government was not able to grant the financial assistance we required to tackle this venture with adequate equipment and I had to box-on as well as I could with the very slender resources at our disposal. As a result, progress was necessarily slow and many months were spent awaiting analyses of oil samples and seeking buyers on a fish-oil market that was, at the time, chaotic, owing to general commercial ignorance (a) of the supply of fish oils available for both war and commerce; and (b) of the medicinal and industrial properties of shark oil.

Best-known of all the fish oils is codliver oil, and it is the particular balance of vitamins A and D, peculiar to this oil, that has maintained it as fish oil No. 1 to within recent years. But sharkliver oil is much richer in vitamin A than cod, and to-day there is a world shortage of, and growing demand for, vitamin A, which cannot, like vitamin D, be manufactured artificially. When, therefore, Hitler invaded Norway and the world’s chief source of cod-liver oil was cut off, it was only natural that shark-liver oil should jump, as it did, from 5/- a gallon to 10/-, 12/-, 15/-, and more.

NOW, the shark most common to Fiji waters is the Tiger, and the liver of the average 10 to 12 ft. Tiger shark yields about six gallons of oil, ranging from some four gallons in the qase of a lean and hungry male, to some nine gallons in the case of a fat and ferocious female. With the oil fetching from 15/- up per gallon, it is plain that, if you can maintain a good turnover in such sharks, you’ve got something.

But that’s the problem—turnover. In Fiji waters, and most likely in all Pacific groups, the best catches are made in reef passages, and my experience suggests that the more exposed the reefs, the better the chances. As a result, the weather plays a decisive part and one needs a stout, seaworthy, and reliable craft, well-equipped and well-handled, to work such passages with any frequency.

Let me say at this stage that the setline is the only feasible catching method for those operating in a small way in coral seas, as the cost and maintenance of nets is quite prohibitive. In any case, the use of nets is really out of the question in coral-infested waters.

My own shark-fishing was done either with a single line or a set-line, the latter comprising some 100 fathoms of 3 in. manilla, anchored at both ends and buoyed to the surface with ten-gallon drums, a drop-line with strong steel trace, swivel and hook being attached to each buoy.

Set-line procedure is somewhat as follows: First find a nice, exposed reefpassage and approach same on the first occasion that an adequate supply of bait (often a problem) coincides with settled weather. Lay your set-line as near across the passage as coral patches, depth of water, direction of wind and/or current, will permit, and bait your droplines with fish or meat (the riper the better). . .

Now make for a safe anchorage for the night, and hope for the best. What you are reiving upon is the shark’s sense of smell, which is, fortunately, remarkably keen. And once he gets the scent, and likes it, he is yours, providing he does not bite through your drop-line, break your trace, bend your hook, or get eaten up on the hook by a brother or sister shark (and this latter quite often happens).

In the morning (if weather permits) “under-run” your set-line, remove sharks (if any), dispatch same (an art in itself), hoist catch on board, remove livers and fins, and dump carcases; then either rebait or take in, your set-line (as weather, catch, bait supply, and other circumstances dictate).

Now make for shelter again and get busy rendering those livers, for the oil must be fresh and sharks begin to putrefy some six hours after death. In no-time your whole being will be permeated with as cloying an odour as you can imagine—shark oil being like that.

THERE are, of course, lots of other things you could do with your carcases; but, under ruling conditions, the small operator learns not to bother.

Converting the flesh and bones into stock food and fertiliser demands a factory ship plus big turnover; preserving the pancreatic gland for extraction of insulin requires special plant and cold storage; and cutting out the jaws and removing the teeth is sheer unremunerative hard work at present values The skinning and fleshing of the hide is very different from the skinning of a beast, and proficiency is only acquired after considerable practice. The nearest simile I can suggest is that the skinning of a shark compares to the skinning of a beast as the skinning of a prune compares to the peeling of a banana. Shipping hides is a problem, too, as most ships running in normal times to the only established market (USA) will not handle wet hides. , In any case the oil, at to-day s price, represents some 60 per cent, of the total value. Rendering the ml is a straightforward job; and, bearing in mind the six-hour puterfaction time limit, it is well to concentrate on this and rest content. Even the fins are of doubtful value at present, owing to the dislocation of the Oriental market.

JUST how sharks are distributed in the Pacific and elsewhere, and what their local and seasonal movements are no one really knows. This is information that can only be acquired by co-ordinated study in many places over many years. It is safe to say, however that sharks are fairly common in all temperate Pacific waters and I should say that the Fiji quota is more or less typical of most island groups.

I say most groups, because wherever enquiries are made regarding sharks, there is always someone who knows some place that is “alive with them. It is quite likely that there are certain prolific spots in these waters, but all evidence points to such places being so far from normal trade routes as to be (a) too expensive to check up on, and (b) too isolated from markets. Sharks being a species of fish, and fish-stones being what they are, one learns early in the shark business to insist on visual proof.

There are certainly more big sharks in Fiii waters than the average resident imagines, and yet there are not enough to justify commercial shark-fishing as a separate and full-toe activity.

And now that I have admitted the whole truth I hope H.M. Fiji Government will note ’its narrow escape from financia! involvement in an unsuccessful ventuie. 10 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

Pacific Islands Year Book

1942 (WARTIME) EDITION Because of an Insistent Demand for this well-known Reference Book, and as 1939 Edition has been sold out, a Limited Wartime Edition has been printed.

It contains the Latest Information relating to all Pacific Islands and Territories, including History, Geographical Description, Administration, Commerce and Industries, Character of Natives, Imports and Exports, Trading Firms, Shipping, Missions, Communications, etc., etc.

SPECIALLY INCLUDED IN THIS EDITION : A Chronology showing dates of all Pidgin-English Vocabulary, giving Notable Events in Pacific War, a List of Phrases and Words in from Dec. 7, 1941, to Aug., 1942. Common Use, History of International Events Many Additional Maps of Pacific leading to Japan’s entry into War. Territories and Islands.

The Territories dealt with include— M. Guinea Papua Solomons Nauru N. Hebrides Fiji Samoa Tonga Gilbert fir Ellice Cook Is.

E. Indies Philippines Hawaii N. Caledonia Fr. Oceania

Detailed Maps Of Practically All Territories And

GROUPS ARE INCLUDED —MANY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Owing to Wartime Restrictions, this edition is strictly limited in number. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, Order Your Copy Now.

When ordering, please use Form as under.

Price: With stiff board cover, 9/- Australian, plus 6d. extra for postage. (Note: 9/6 Australian = 9/6 New Zealand; 8/6 Fijian; United States, 1 dollar, 50 cents.) PACIFIC PUBLICATIONS PTY. LTD., P.O. Box 3408 R., Sydney; or at Union House, 247 George Street, Sydney.

Order For Pacific Islands Year Book, 1942

TO PACIFIC PUBLICATIONS PTY. LTD.,

Union House, 247 George Street, Date

SYDNEY.

Number of copies wanted Correct address to which to be posted or (if in city) delivered: Amount forwarded herewith Name and address of person giving this order: BUT, as a subsidiary to general fishingactivities, catch sharks by all means. Providing the price of oil remains near its present level, it will be easy and profitable to equip your commercial fishing craft with simple plant to cope with sharks caught with, or in between, other hauls. And the indications are that the price will remain attractive for a long time to come.

And just as well, for in these waters present war conditions make it very difficult to promote commercial shark-fishing. The maritime restrictions in operation almost everywhere, the excessive ruling freights, the uncertainty of shipping, disorganisation of markets, and the scarcity of boat and fishing gear—all these things tend to turn a speculative venture into a real gamble.

Personally, I can speak only of present conditions in the Pacific. The restrictions mentioned do not apply where there exist great fishing banks on the coastline of a major market.

Such a place is the west coast of the United States, where there is now feverish activity on the part of professional fishermen and shore organisations, cooperating in wholesale exploitation of a species of school-shark that swarms in that area. Regarded until quite recently as the fisherman’s curse, this “soup-fin” shark is now sought day and night with nets and set-lines by whole fishing fleets, the catches being unloaded at the nearest port into waiting refrigerated trucks that speed away to specially-erected rendering factories, strategically placed.

The liver of this once-despised schoolshark is particularly rich in vitamin A, and many fishing crews are now making as much per week as they do normally per season on straight commercial fishing.

I have said nothing about the thrills of shark-fishing. But they are there in plenty, and easily compensate for the discomforts and odours inseparable from this pastime. To get the better of these half-ton monsters of the deep provides all the excitement and satisfaction that any man has the right to ask. Make these thrills lucrative, and, as I said before, you’ve got something.

"No Fright," Now

rpHIS story, which is perfectly true, may JL interest some of our Papuan friends (writes Lieutenant G. A. Loudon).

Mary is a decent old native woman who lives near Port Moresby. She is very bright; but after the first bombings of Port Moresby she was very frightened. I was passing her house, a very dilapidated structure nearly falling down.

G.A.L.: Morning, Mary. You very frightened this Japanese man bombing?

Mary: Yes, Taubada, I very fright.

G.A.L.: Mary, what for you fright; this house belong you, I no think he worth £5.

Mary; True, Taubada!

G.A.L.: This Japanese bomb he cost £2OO.

Mary: True, Taubada.

G.A.L.: You think this Japanese man he fool? He throw £2OO bomb along £5 house?

Mary: You talk true, Taubada. Now I no fright.

Rev. H. J. G. Short, of the London Mission Society, New Guinea, writes that, although “this spot’' is somewhat exposed, the brown brethren are not showing any sign of cold feet. He concludes: “It will be great to see you and Sydney again , . but, if not, salaams to you all.” 11

Pacific Islands Monthly September, 1 Ff 4 2

Now Is The Time

Business is having a difficult time at present because of the shortage of trained men to carry on the work of those who have been called to other national duties.

This fact means that younger—and older—men must take up the running; but to do this efficiently and successfully requires training.

Now is the time to start training, because even partially trained men are of more value to business and to themselves, than those without any specific training.

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Is It A Whale?

Queer Arrival on New Caledonia Beach Stirs Memories of Whaling Days NOUMEA, Aug. 8.

AMARINE monster that seems to have been a war casualty has been washed up on a New Caledonian beach.

It was seen at sea, some time back, and then it drifted inshore, on to a small reef, and from there on to the beach, where it now lies. It is 50 feet long, 15 wide and higher than an ordinary doorway, and locally has been nicknamed the “Pocket Submarine.” The colour is that of chamois leather (it has also been likened to the colour of bread) and the feature which astonished people was the long (8 or 9 feet) ivory tusks or bones sticking out from the jaws. The question is being asked whether part of the head had not been destroyed, leaving these queer projections sticking out, minus the flesh that usually covers them.

The animal seems to be a species of whale, for threequarters of the back is deeply rifled and the riflings crossed with horizontal lines, and there is a round mark which may be the aperture through which it blows. Rich, oily blubber was a foot or two thick on its sides, and it is a pity nobody was able to get to work and slash it off during the first day or two.

The animal’s two fins seem to be only two or three feet long.

Sharks are attacking the tail, and the creature daily is smelling stronger; also decreasing considerably in size by a sort of internal shrinkage. It will be some time before the place becomes a picnic spot for people anxious to see the monster’s bones.

WHALES are so much scarcer in the Pacific than they used to be. In the days when the industry flourished in New Zealand and Australia, New Caledonia was also the haunt of Massachusetts and Australasian whalers.

Some of them settled in the Loyalty Islands and lived with native women. That is why there are so many Anglo-Saxon names among the natives to-day—in certain Lifou villages, for example.

The Noumea “Moniteur Imperial” of October 24, 1869, informed its readers that many English and American whalers had begged the New Caledonian Administration for authorisation to hunt whales in the region of the Loyalties.

The masters of these vessels, needing men for their exploitation, at the same time asked for permission to engage local native crews. Both requests were granted, on certain conditions, and the Governor told his representative at Lifou to encourage this industry by all means possible.

Nor was whaling round the Caledonian outer reef to be despised. In 1862, it is on record, the French whaler “Winslow,” operating off the north-west of the Colony, captured 21 whales in three months, yielding 900 barrels of oil.

Whale oil was also shipped to Noumea from the New Hebrides, the local price being £26 per ton. • The yield varied from I'k to 7 tons of oil per whale, but the latter would be regarded a large fish for these waters (Greenland whales are much bigger).

IN the whaling season the natives would make fires on the beach and dance and sing “as at Harvest Home.” The missionaries objected to this as perpetuating heathen customs.

“The men,” says one writer, “were all paid m cash, and they could realise a very nice sum in a good year. The natives liked the work, which was the only thing in the shape of exciting sport which entered into their lives. They laid out their dollars in stores, tobacco, calico, etc.”

It was, of course, Captain Faddon who started the industry here. Sometimes news would come in that whales were in the vicinity of the outer reef, and his boats, seven men in each, including officer, harpooner and five rowers, would leave in all haste. The fight over, we can imagine the monster being towed in to Paddon’s special pier, where it would be cut into strips and carried to the blubber-room.

Pacific Islands Yearbook

rE 1942 Edition of the well-known reference book, Pacific Islands Yearbook, has been published. It contains over 400 pages of matter, in small type, relating to the Pacific Territories. Included in this issue are a history and chronology of the Pacific war. which commenced when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941; a Pidgin-English vocabulary, which should be of use to newcomers in New Guinea, Solomons, etc.; and a considerable number of additional maps.

The edition is strictly limited. Details of price, and an order form will be found pn page 11. 12 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

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The deputation was informed that this request would be noted, but it was not thought likely that the Government would agree.

Asked about the possibility of an early distribution of money to those persons who had shipped produce to the New Guinea Copra Board, and which produce was subsequently lost by enemy action, the Minister said that all necessary claims had been submitted to the War Damage Commission for the copra lost, and that consideration was being given to the possibility of an advance being made against such copra.

The deputation asked that the War Damage Commission be urged to expedite the assessment and payment of these claims, and this the Minister promised to do.

Regarding accounts still due by Territories’ Administrations, the deputation was informed that the Commonwealth Government is at present collecting all possible data concerning the liabilities of the Administrations, and it is hoped that it will soon be in a position to consider payment of such liabilities.

Post-War Planning

THE deputation informed the Minister that the Association most certainly was not confining its activities to the present disabilities of evacuees only, but felt that an important part of its functions was to assist in planning for the post-war administration and development of the Territories. In this connection, the deputation handed the Minister a memorandum.

The Minister said he agreed as to the necessity of early planning for . future administration and development, and that consideration was already being given this matter by the Federal Government. He agreed that those with interests and long experience in the Territories had a right to have their opinions considered in any such planning, and that the assistance of the Association would be of great benefit to the Government.

He added that he would keep the Association informed on this matter and, in the meantime, he suggested the Association prepare notes for consideration by a research board which was now compiling information on the subject. These notes could be forwarded through the Secretary of his Department.

The Minister was thanked for his careful attention to the submissions by the deputation, and for his promises of assistance.

In response, Senator Fraser said he was very pleased to have met the Association’s representatives, and he assured them of his sympathetic assistance on the matters put before him and also in any future matters the Association might wish to bring to his notice.

Monsieur Henri David, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, died in the Colonial Hospital, Noumea, on July 19, aged 74.

Rev - F- O. Theile, DD, representative of the Lutheran Missions, working in New Guinea, recently underwent a series of operations in Brisbane, and has now recovered.

The death _ was reported recently of Madame Leuis Evalis, of Noumea, New Caledonia. Madame Evalis came to New Caledonia in 1873 and, by her fine pioneering work, did much for the advancement of the Colony, where she was held m great esteem.

Death Of Captain John

METHVEN CAPTAIN JOHN MALCOLM METHVEN, 23, reported killed in action, in Egypt, July 22, 1942, while serving in the AIF, was born on Ocean Island in 1918. He was educated at Xavier Preparatory and Caulfield Grammar Schools, Melbourne, and was on the staff of the Bank of Australasia, He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Stuartson C Methven, of Belgrave, Victoria, and a brother of Flt./Sgt. Methven, SC, who was born in Suva, Fiji, in 1912, and who is with the RAAF in England. His father, who served in the South African War, was in the Fiji public service, 1911-13, Gilbert and Ellic Islands service, 1914-34 and served in the Great War, 1916-ls! with AIF.

M. Lucien Beaumont, a well-known and respected colonist of New Caledonia, died suddenly at Moindou. He was for a number of years a member of the Conseil- General. He was interested in the cultivation of tobacco, and gave much time to establishing a small factory for its manufacture in New Caledonia.

Flying-Officer John C. Lowe, RAAF, formerly a CSR Co. overseer in Fiji, is missing (believed killed), from air operations over Rabaul, in which he took part on April 11, 1942.

Fiji Timber

New Company Operating on Vanua Leva IN spite of the shortage of labour and a shortage of shipping, the development of the timber industry of Fiji is proceeding rapidly. If this is maintained under peace conditions, the Fiji timber industry must become one of the most important in the Colony.

Behind Buca Bay, at the western end of the large island of Vanua Levu there are vast forests, and these timber resources now are being worked and the timber shipped to Suva for local consumption.

A company called Turners Timbers Limited has erected a large plant at the bottom of Buca Bay, at a place called Mayalalevu, and a road has been constructed from the site of the mill into the concession granted to the company for the conveyance of logs.

The organisation of such an enterprise is very difficult under war conditions, but anyone who develops the timber industry of Fiji at the present time is due for a rich reward.

Madame Armand Marlier died in Noumea, New Caledonia, on July 7. 13

Pacific Islands Monthly Ssptiubir, 1 9 4 %

Evacuees' Problems (Continued from Page 9)

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Eric Ramsden

FAREWELLED Founder of Pacific Islands Society MR. Eric Ramsden, who is the founder of the Pacific Islands Society, Sydney, has gone to New Zealand to join the editorial staff of “The Press ”

Christchurch. He will be missed in Sydney.

Several years ago, Mr. Ramsden, Mr.

Moran, Mrs. Alfred Page, and their associates were instrumental in forming in Sydney the Polynesian Club—a happy organisation whereat people from the Central and Eastern Pacific, and especially people of part-Polynesian blood, met for social intercourse. Their first “do” took place at a flat in Potts Point, and their first guest of honour was the Earl of Beauchamp, a former Governor of New South Wales. He was the man who made the resounding faux pas about “birthstains” and who lived in Tahiti for some time before he died. He had a keen eye for a pretty woman, and he was delighted with the Polynesian dances presented to him on that occasion by the Polynesian Club ladies.

The Club flourished; but, eventually, there came a split. Some members followed Mr. Ramsden, who wanted the Club to be more educational and cultural; and others remained with Mr.

Moran, who favoured social activities only.

Mr. Ramsden and his friends then formed the Pacific Islands Club (afterwards Society); while the remainder carried on the Polynesian Club as a purely social institution—and, each, in its way, has been quite successful. If you want to see pretty girls, and enjoy the colourful dances and haunting songs of Polynesia, you may go to the Polynesian Club. If you want to meet the solid, somewhat older people who are the backbone of Pacific administration, culture and commerce, you will find them in the Pacific Islands Society.

Mr. Ramsden had good fortune in gaining the interest of some outstanding men. who acted as president—and he was particularly lucky in finding Mr. A. E.

Stephen, who is now president, and whose unflagging interest in the Society’s affairs is seen in large attendances at the monthly meetings.

Mr. Ramsden now moves on to New Zealand, and he will be sadly missed by the Society, for which he acted for so long as honorary secretary and organiser.

Mr. Ramsden And Maori

SITUATION fIIHE Pacific Islands Society’s meeting X at History House, Sydney, on August 26, was well attended. A valedictory address was given by Mr. Eric Ramsden, the promoter of the Society, and its energetic hon. secretary until his recent ill-health necessitated his relinquishing the office, on the eve of his departure for New Zealand. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsden and their young son were the principal guests of honour.

“The Maori Situation To-day” was the subject of Mr. Ramsden’s address; and, as he has given a lifetime of study to the history of the Maori race, and its condition, he was followed by his audience with close interest.

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PTY. LTD. 267 Clarence Street, Sydney, N.S.W. said Mr. Ramsden. Nonetheless, the Maori was strong enough to stand, up for his traditional rights, and to oppose the frequent lack of consideration and inroads of the pakeha.

The “Treaty of Waitangi,” in which the rights of the Maoris were to be guaranteed, was explained: but his audience learned with a shock that the Treaty never had been recognised—it was not incorporated in the constitution or laws of New Zealand —a source of bitter feeling among the Maoris.

The difficulties of assimilating European customs by a race like the Maori, with their centuries-old traditions, was described. But the younger generations were adopting better hygienic conditions of living, and acquiring technical training, so that there are now good prospects of the survival and general progress in the future of this intelligent, hospitable and famous race. Infant mortality has notably lessened and the population is increasing.

Mr. Ramsden was farewelled in the traditional Maori fashion by Noho Toki.

A_vote of thanks to Mr. Ramsden was moved by the president and supported by Mr. J. T. Bensted and Dr. Mackaness, and the guest’s valuable services in the formation and conduct of the Society were warmly praised—and especially his personal kindliness, notable literary attainments and his deep interest in the progress and welfare of the Pacific Islanders.

Mr. Ramsden’s book, “Busby of Waitangi,” has just been published in New Zealand. It is a valuable addition to the historical records of the Dominion.

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MISSIONARIES IN NORTH-

East Papua

I GET no rest on the subject of white women left behind in Papua after the evacuation (says a writer in Melbourne “Herald”). I thought there were only two, but now the secretary of the Australian Board of Missions comes at me with the fact that, north of the Owen Stanley Range, which is the Church of England’s mission area (on the northeast coast of Papua) there are still 16 women missionaries who refuse to leave.

The Anglican missionary strength there is 37 persons, and all of them stayed The latest news says that they are all well, although there is some doubt about three. These three—one clergyman and two women—were at the mission’s main hospital centre at Gona when the Japanese decided to call.

However, all reports received indicate that the three got away safely before the landing, although the information has yet to be confirmed.

The Ng Patrols

Good Work in the Jungles A TIMELY word from a former wellknown resident of New Guinea:— “The newspapers in these days carry much about the courage and initiative of the AIF, the AMF, the Americans, and so forth—all thoroughly well deserved— but I do not think nearly enough recognition is being given to the splendid service rendered by the New Guinea Patrolmen.

“These are the men with the knowledge of the country and of how to use the country and the native workers, and it is they more than anyone else who deserve credit for the Japanese set-backs along the north-eastern coast of New Guinea. That hiding inflicted on the Japs at Milne Bay was by no means the first they had had in that quarter. Wait until the. story of operations at Salamaua and the Markham Valley can be told—and great kudos then will go to the members of the NG Patrol.

“When the Japs landed at Gona and Milne Bay, all our calamity-howlers insisted that these ‘marvellous Jap jungle-fighters’ would find their way through the bush and the mountains to Port Moresby. But it was not the Japs who conquered the problems of the jungle and the mountains—it was the Australians. They were the real junglefighters, and it was the Japs who collected all the hurry-up about the place.

And I’ll bet my last bit of twist that the men of the NG Patrols were right in the front line of all those operations.

“I wish I could tell your readers some of the things accomplished by the Patrolmen in New Guinea and New Britain; but I suppose it will have to wait until after the war,”

Sir Harry Luke

SIR Harry Luke, who retired recently from the post of Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, and who spent July and August in New Zealand, was the guest of the New Zealand Government, at a farewell luncheon, in Wellington, late in August. The New Zealand Ministers and chief officials learned to hold Sir Harry in high regard during his four years’ term in Fiji, and some very complimentary things have been said of him. m Wellington.

Sir Harry Luke, after spending a holiday with his family in England—whom he has not seen for four years—will proceed to whatever further duty the Colonial Office allots to him.

"Belly Tanks" Over

PAPUA ONE or two people have made a very nice collection of “belly tanks ” writes a Papua correspondent.

The Japs sling an aluminium tank under their Zero fighters, which holds about 100 to 120 gallons of benzine. This enables them to cross the Central Range But, before they enter a scrap, they release a very strong spring, which gets rid of the tank. These dron around here and are collected bv the natives. These have to be sent then to headquarters intact, as the value of the metal is considerable.

The Australian soldier is the greatest curio and souvenir collector I have ever met.

Prosperity In W. Samoa

IN a letter to the General Secretary of the Methodist Overseas Mission, Rev R. J. Maddox (Chairman of the Samoan district), states that, as a result of the great wave of prosperity in Samoa, mission contributions have reached the large total of £6,500 for the year.

Mr. Maddox wished to retire at the end of the year, but the board suggested that he remain until the war situation is clearer. ~^ e . v * Be H. of the Presbyterian Mission, has returned to his station in the New Hebrides. 15 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1342

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PENNIES Currency Troubles in Fiji IT is a remarkable and interesting fact that, wherever large bodies of troops have been gathered together, the currency of the civil population among which they are established becomes inadequate for trading purposes.

In Fiji, the position is really acute.

Ordinarily. Fiji has £l, 10/- and 5/- notes and the usual coins—2/-, 1/-, 6d., 3d., and copper coins. But, during recent months, coins in Fiji have proved completely inadequate, and the Government has issued much additional coinage, besides printing and issuing 2/- and 1 notes.

But even these measures have not overcome the problem: and the followingarticle from a recent issue of the “Fiji Times” will give some indication of the straits to which traders have been driven.

“The action now being taken by private concerns in printing tokens which represent one penny in their stores, reflects the inability shown by Government to appreciate the needs of trade and commerce.

“Apart from the serious aspect of the currency shortage from the trader’s viewpoint, there is some humour in a situation which apparently has got out of Government control to the extent that people are now printing their own currency, or rather pieces of cardboard which, in the place where they are issued, represents money.

If the practice becomes general a rather amusing situation will develop.

“We can imagine a citizen proceeding about his shopping with pockets full of tokens from various stores, and attempting to work out his tokens in buying this at one place and that at another. He may even be compelled to go out on the street and accost passers-by in an endeavour to swap one Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd., for one Burns Philp (South Sea), Pty., Ltd., at par.

“Bad as the token system is, it is not so annoying as the Post Office practice of giving half-penny stamps in change, and which are more or less useless.

“Unless the Government can see some relief forthcoming, it should issue its own paper pennies immediately, and, also, paper sixpences. They will be a terrible nuisance, but not so great a nuisance as being without this unit of currency.

“The paper shilling and the two shilling note have worked reasonably well, particularly if one takes the trouble to improvise a small note case in which to carry them.”

The Governor of Fiji has confirmed the appointment of Mr. R. A. Derrick, as principal of the Technical School, Suva.

Pastor F. Noack, formerly with the Lutheran Mission in New Guinea, is at present a member of the Lutheran Ministry in South Australia.

Mr. F. C. Exon, manager of Amalgamated Wireless, Suva, became involved in a traffic accident on July 31, when the car he was driving came into collision with a truck. His car was badly damaged, but Mr. Exon was thrown clear and was unhurt.

Leaseholders Are

PROTECTED War Regulation Applies to Papua and New Guinea ALTHOUGH, through the kindness of officials in Canberra, a copy of National Security Regulations covering the Territories of New Guinea and Papua was in our hands early in August, we did not recognise the regulations as dealing with the vexed question of New Guinea mining leases.

There are, in New Guinea, hundreds of thousands of pounds invested in gold and plantation leases; and the leases impose upon their holders many obligations, including that of reasonably continuous occupation. With the evacuation, of course, the leaseholders could not discharge their obligations, and there has been much anxiety on their account and many appeals to the Commonwealth Government, on their behalf, to do something to regularise the position.

This the Commonwealth Government now has done; but we may be pardoned if we did not immediately realise the full significance of this legal verbiage:— 34. — (1) Any lease or other interest in, or any licence, permit, right or authority in relation to, any land, or any licence, permit, right or authority in relation to any other matter, granted by the Crown or by the Administration of the Territory of Papua or the Territory of New Guinea and in force on the eleventh day of February, 1942, shall, of this Regulation, be suspended, deemed to have been suspended as on and from that date, until a date to be fixed by the Minister by notice published in the Gazette. (2) The power given to the Minister by the last preceding sub-Regulation to fix a date for the termination of the suspension shall include power to fix a date for any particular case, or for cases of any particular class, determined according to circumstances. (3) During the period of suspension under this Regulation of any lease, interest, licence, permit, right or authority, the holder thereof shall have and may exercise the like powers of dealing with it as if it was not suspended but shall not be required to perform any obligations imposed on him in respect of the lease, interest, licence, permit, right or authority. (4) Upon the termination of the suspension, the lease, interest, licence, permit, right or authority shall revive and shall continue for a period equivalent to the period of the lease, interest, licence, permit, right or authority which was unexpired at the eleventh day of February, 1942.

Which means, in simple language, that mining or other leases are to be extended by a period equal to the period from February 11, 1942, to the date of re-occupation of the Territories (which will be notified by Gazette); and that, during that period, the leaseholders still will be the legal leaseholders, but they are released from all the obligations which the lease otherwise would impose upon them.

Mrs. Gabrielle Castex, who lived for some years in New Caledonia, died at Manly, on September 9.

Mr. L. Twyman, of the Unevangelised Fields Mission, Papua, is at present doing “deputation” work in the Invercargill district (NZ). 16 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

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A Fish Drive In

ROTUMA BY “AMEL'’

THE sun beat down from a clear blue sky. It sought out the beautiful colours of the deeper water among the coral patches and covered them with a million sparkles. It shone on the light-green, swaying coconut palms and on the snowy whiteness of the beaches beneath them.

It shone on us, sitting in the dinghy, where we sizzled and stewed, and baked and boiled.

Although it was three hours from noon, the sun had a fierceness that hurt.

A gentle breeze skimmed across the water, and we breathed it gratefully. We envied the scores of Rotuman men and women, standing waist-deep in the sea, holding their nets. They, on the other hand, envied us, for most of them had been there since dawn, and were cramped and chilled.

Far in the distance, a long line of black blobs, stretching from the outside reef almost to the edge of the beach, came steadily closer. They had started on the falling tide to drive the fish into the trap so neatly prepared for them.

Two walls of coral, built like a triangle without a base, were manned by another crowd of Rotumans armed with nets, spears, sticks and knives. The apex of the triangle was extended into a race very thoroughly lined with more nets and manned by more natives, and this was where the fish would meet their doom.

The chief, Alepat Kaitu’u, sporting an elegant eye-shade of plaited coconut leaf, sat in our dinghy and anxiously watched proceedings. This was a trial drive, and he wanted it to be a success.

A boy sat in the bows, holding aloft a white flag on the end of a long pole This was a signal to the distant fisherfolk to keep advancing, and when it was lowered, they were to stop until the fish entering the nets were emptied out.

After a while, they looked more like human beings, and we could hear them laughing, talking and slapping the water Half a dozen canoes darted in and out among them, like destroyers with a convoy.

At last, the beaters closed in to form the base of the triangle, and fish began to pour into the race. Alepat, whose expression said that he could bear the suspense no longer, plunged overboard and floundered to the mouth of the race to direct operations.

The excitement rose to fever heat.

Everyone talked, and nobody listened.

The flag boy, gazing entranced at the swarming fish, was indifferent to all else until someone poked him in the ribs.

Then the flag collapsed with a thud, and the beaters stopped, while hundreds of fish of various sizes and rainbow hues were tipped into the two dinghies, a punt and a canoe.

Escapees were deftly speared and added to the pile. Those hiding under rocks were gouged out.

Everywhere we looked, there were fish “going for their lives”. But, towards the close of the drive, everyone grew slightly blase about them, and could even watch one escaping without batting an eyelid.

Alepat Kaitu’u, minus his eye-shade, but beaming with pleasure, waded along the race, as the last sprat was shaken from the net. He clambered aboard the dinghy, which headed for the shore, thus ending an interesting morning—to which the Commissioner, aided by a pair of sandshoes, supplied the finishing touch by giving us an inimitable exhibition of how to make a forced landing on a pile of slippery fish!

'Flu In New Caledonia

RECENTLY, postal services in New Caledonia were seriously disorganised by an influenza epidemic among personnel. The position became so difficult that an appeal was made to the public, by the head of the department, to co-operate with the authorities and assist in maintaining services, by refraining from the use of telegraph and telephone except in cases of urgency.

Mrs. A. J. Bretag, wife of Mr. A. J.

Bretag, MLC, of New Guinea, gave birth to her first daughter at Helenie Private Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, on July 27.

The new New Guinea-ite has been christened Barbara Isabel Ann.

Those Oranges!

The following was overheard one day when a well-known ship visited Rotuma.

Greenhorn member of personnel (making desperate efforts to climb a breadfruit tree): “I’ll climb this so-and-so tree if it takes me a week. Give us a leg up, Pal!”

Pal (giving him a leg up): “Right you are. But you’ll never get up there. You need a ladder. The trunk is too smooth and the first branch is too far from the ground. Anyway, what’s the big idea?”

Greenhorn M.O.P. (gazing wistfully up aloft): “I want to pick some of those lovely oranges!”

“AMEL”.

Pilot-Officer Loudon, after about 15 months on Spitfires in England, is now back in Papua, and has been in some of the very recent fighting there. 17 pacific islands monthly September, is 42

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Britain Now “One of Mightiest Striking Forces In Battle History"

Remarkable American Tribute to What the Old Country Has Done and is Doing rj I HE following is a condensation of a remarkable article by Harvey Klemmer, in the August issue of “The National Geographic Magazine”.

This writer succeeds, as few have done, in getting the position of Great Britain into correct focus in relation to World War 11. We publish the following extracts, because the whole Pacific situation now is bound up with the “global war”; and the courage and strength of Britain soon will be joined to the high spirit and tremendous strength of America, and the amazing tenacity and fortitude of Russia, in taking control of the “global war”; and shaping the destiny of the world.

Every word of this American tribute to our common Motherland is soundly based. Let us never forget that it was Britain that saved European civilisation from the Hun and the Jap, in August- September, 1940.

TWO years ago the German hosts, drunk with victory, stood on the English Channel and prepared exultantly for the conquest of Britain.

The Nazis had swept everything before them—Poland, Denmark, Norway, the Low Countries, France. There remained only a cluster of islands nearly the size of the State of Oregon to complete the subjugation of western Europe.

It looked like an easy job. The British had been thrown out of Norway. They had been sent reeling back from the front in France and Belgium, their fighting strength nearly exterminated on the beach at Dunkirk. Italy had come into the fray and Japan hovered expectantly in the background.

Perhaps the British, seeing what had happened to their allies, would adopt the course of wisdom and sue for peace. If they didn’t, if they persisted in beingstubborn —well, the Fuehrer had had an answer for everything so far, and he probably had an answer for Britain.

THE weeks went by. The British didn’t sue for peace and Hitler got ready to administer the coup de grace. Long-range guns were mounted on the French coast; invasion barges were assembled; troops were moved into position: supplies were brought up; airfields were made ready for a kind of assault unknown to the Spaniards in the days of the Armada and unknown to Napoleon. With binoculars one could see from Dover the German preparations.

Britain braced herself for the blow.

There was no thought of surrender, regardless of what the odds might be.

Machine-guns were mounted by the sea.

Coastal areas were closed, barricades erected, tank traps installed.

The great weakness, of course, was the lack of equipment. Nearly a thousand cannon had been lost in France. Tanks were few. There were not even enough rifles to go around. The outlook wasn’t very bright in Britain that summer, and we who were privileged to be there felt like mourners at the bier of a friend.

The Germans massed for the kill. But something happened. The kill didn’t come off. The German guns were answered, shell for shell. The invasion barges were dispersed. The Luftwaffe was sent scuttling back to its lair.

Britain stood.

It was no accident that Hitler failed to take the British Isles. He tried hard enough. He failed because he underestimated the British will to resist and the British capacity to take punishment.

Above all, he failed because he underestimated the scope of the British war effort.

Hitler is not the only one to err in the latter regard. Again and again, since returning to America, I have been surprised at the lack of understanding here concerning the resources of Britain and the manner in which those resources have been massed to build up the country’s military strength. This, in my opinion, is one of the great stories of the war.

ONE explanation for our failure to grasp the magnitude of Britain’s war effort is the British habit of understatement. The Luftwaffe was publicised to the point where it was generally regarded as invincible. We heard very little about the Royal Air Force; yet, when the showdown came, it was the RAF which came out on top.

I saw thirty or forty air battles in Great Britain. I never saw one in which the RAF boys weren’t tearing the Nazis to pieces. The simple fact is that the Nazis aren’t nearly so good as they said they were, while the British are a whale of a lot better.

Another explanation for our lack of understanding stems from the emphasis placed on “life as usual” during the blitz.

In an effort to minimise the effect of German bombs, the British —and their friends as well —got into the habit of portraying a country where everything went on as before, including activities which have no place in a beleaguered fortress. To say that everyone is working hard, and that soldiers, sailors, airmen are at their posts, does not make much of a “story”.

Britain, even under fire, was forging the greatest military machine in the history of the Empire and one of the mightiest striking forces in battle history.

Some nations are strong in the air. some on the sea, some on the land. Britain manages to be strong in all three branches The United States may displace her in the air, on the sea, and on the land, but I do not believe that it is any exaggeration to rate Britain, as of June 1, 1942, as the greatest all-round military force on earth.

The Colonies and Dominions have helped splendidly, of course, but the bulk of this incredible job has been done by a little country with a third the population of the United States, a fourth of the industrial capacity, and about a thirty-third of the area. The all-out assault of the Axis enemy has been met by an all-out response.

The foundation upon which the British war effort rests is a simple obligation known as National Service. Everybody in Britain is expected to contribute to the common cause.

Nine million men are registered for service in the armed forces or employed in vital war work. Another 5,000.000 are registered for fire watching. Every two weeks a new age group is called upon to register.

Men are liable for military service between the ages of 18 a and 51. So many men have been taken into the Army that there has been a clamor for the release of coal miners, agricultural workers, and others considered necessary to keep up production of muni- 18 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

" > J ViSt\fi~t gh #* Wfr4wBßfQ[^ <£s ss 7EAHS mm ss& 4k ■3'iHW SlM# SWALLOW ABIELL in c HIE BISCOIT S CAKE VITO iCE -7) m J m $ »> > 'j, «£ Uons and food. The military has yielded llttl€ - MORE than five million women have registered for work in tbo „ n i. formed services, in civil defence, in armament facories, or in some other branch of the war effort. Like men, women are liable to compulsory service up to the age of 51, although only unmarried women between 20 and 30 are now being recruited. Married women between those ages may volunteer.

Women even serve with combatant units—with anti-aircraft batteries for example—but such service is voluntary.

The three branches of military service air, sea, and land—all have women’s auxiliaries. Women, by doing work formerly done by men, have done much to release men for combatant service A million and a half boys and girls from 16 to 18 years old have signed up KSM Mt£r the vice" 6 if B applied would result in an enrolment of 60,000,000 persons. r., ... . ..

E exploits of the RAF are by now a familiar saga. The boys of the RAF stopped the Nazis at a time when they might well have over-run the British Isles and those remaining portions of western Europe still undespoiled by virtue of the existence of a free Britain.

The achievements of the RAF came as a thrilling surprise to many of us who were abroad at the time; we had heard so many stories of the size of the German Air Force, of the Reich’s great research facilities, and the superiority of planes. miVh? hJ S ah£ k^ n foST had % e RAF might be able to take care of itself came to erourttai from the British put an umbrella of planes over the French coast and kept it there for three days while some 335 000 men were saved from death or capture.

Later I met a plane builder who did not seem to be at all worried about the prospects in the air, and still later I talked with an airman who said: “We have air superiority over these islands.

Eventually we shall gain air superiority over the Continent. That will be the beginning of the end.”

This was on the eve of the Battle of Britain. The airman’s assertion proved to be true. The Germans were never able to gain mastery over more than a fringe of British coast and they were soon forced to relinquish that. When they lost 185 planes in a single day, they stopped coming in the daytime. For eight, months they came over at night but eventually they decided that these raids, too, were not worth the expense of putting them on.

The British concentrated on fighting quality rather than quantity in the production of planes.

There is no doubt that Great Britain is first in the air. The RAF may or may not be the biggest air force in the world, but it is certainly the strongest Eventually the United States, with its larger population and superior industrial capacity, should rule the skies. As this is written, Britain enjoys that distinction From the beginning of the war to date, the British—the Dominion and Allied squadrons operating with them—have brought down 10,000 German and Italian planes. RAF losses have been around 4,000.

The most deadly months for the Axis were August and September of 1940 when some 2,400 planes were lost over Britain compared to less than 800 lost by the RAF. The British were knocking them down so fast during the summer and fall of 1940 that people began to joke about which was the greater menace, falling bombs or fallinl bombers' i A ag ?, the pe ?P le of Britain were cleaning up the wreckage caused bv Per- To-day, bombers are going the , ,ot h er dll ! ectlon - More than a thousand P lanes m a single night now i? ai ov ’ er Gerrnan y and the occupied strewing countless incendiaries and o«?P2 m ? hl ? h ' ex P losi ve bombs of a size and destructiveness never before achieved, Raids are planned with the co-operation of the Ministry of Economic Warfare to insure maximum destruction of Plants and supplies necessary to the enemy war effort. Railway centres come m for special attention. The British deny any intention to punish the civilian population, but one would have to be extremely naive to deny that civilian casualties are bound to result from such raids.

F trem “^ S rff fhn n.i g the Nazis * Sp Saw® * th pulvensm g power of vL , .

Thundering night assaults completely kn °cked out the Baltic war-supply ports of Lubeck and Rostock. Then came the attack on Cologne by more than a thousand planes, featuring Britain’s mighty four-engined bombers. In 90 minutes pn the night of May 30 eight s Q u are miles of Cologne were laid waste, with ar mament and engine factories smashed or burned.

Thousands of men are now becoming available through the Empire Training Scheme, which is for men of the British Dominions.

The additional thousands being trained in the United States are chieflv English men There ls a lack of space in B?Uata and plenty of space in the United States. 19

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THE backbone of British defence has hitherto been the Royal Navy. If we accept Admiral Mahan’s classic hypothesis that seapower consists of fighting ships plus merchant vessels plus bases, then Britain is first at sea.

We may outbuild her in merchant ships from now on, but at this point the British merchant marine is equal to that of the rest of the free world put together.

Britain has bases everywhere.

At the outbreak of war, the Royal Navy included 15 battleships, seven aircraft-carriers, 58 cruisers, 205 destroyers, and 57 submarines. Many ships have been lost, of course, including such famous vessels as the “Hood”, “Repulse”, and the new “Prince of Wales”. British shipyards, however, have turned out a substantial amount of new tonnage, and 50 over-age destroyers were secured from the United States. As a result, the Navy to-day is stronger than it was at the beginning of the war.

SIDE by side with the Royal Navy go the vessels of the Merchant Navy.

British shipping has suffered grievously in this war, as in the last. Hundreds of ships have been sent to the bottom and thousands of sailors have lost their lives.

It takes a special kind of courage to go to sea to-day. Death by drowning or by torpedo blast is about the best fate to which a seaman may look forward.

The experiences of men in lifeboats have become so commonplace that many are hardly reported in the newspapers; yet some of them make the epic of Bligh of the “Bounty” look like a Sundayschool picnic. There are men who have spent a month in a lifeboat in the North Atlantic in the middle of winter. Literally hundreds have died in a sea of blazing oil.

British shipyards, in addition to naval vessels, have also been pushing ahead with all possible speed on the construction of merchant ships.

Even bombs do not silence the roar of the riveters. Work goes on dav and night, and it now appears that, with the aid of America’s huge building programme, British seapower will once more be able to weather the strain of a major conflict. rpHE British Army, with the possible X exception of the Russian, is by far the most democratic in Eurone. A large proportion of its officers, including its generals, have, for a century past, risen from the ranks. To-day, every officer must pass through the ranks.

The Regular Army consisted of approximately 250.000 men in time of peace To-dav it embraces 2.250.000, to which must be added some 1,750,000 members of the Home Guard.

The Home Guard Is a unioue force.

It sprang into being in May. 1940, when onerations of Nazi parachute troons in France, Norway. Belgium, and the Netherlands made the British realise their own danger from such attacks. After the fall of France, when everyone expected that the Germans would immediately trv to invade the British Isles the force increased enormously. The men of Britain just seized whatever weapons they could get their hands on and went into the fields to watch for parachutists.

Those who could not get rifles used shotguns; those who could not get shotguns used nitchforks; those who could not get pitchforks used clubs.

Men of the Home Guard range from 17 to 65 years of age—officially. Actually, I have seen boys under 17 in the fields, and many below that age are now enrolled in a cadet force and other juvenile organisations. As for the older men, many a village patriarch who cannot remember when he was 65 is prepared to resist invaders with whatever weapon may come to hand.

Smce December, 1941 membership in the Home Guard has been compulsory for men between 18 and 51 not called for | Members of the Home Guard serve in their spare time and without pay. They £9, ads ’ guard strategic points, and meanwhile prepare to impede the enemy ln everypossible way. .....

They have received special training in guerrilla warfare, and if an enemy should succeed m setting foot on the soil of Britain he would find himself opposed by thousands of guerrillas skilled in the art of individual combat and animated bv a fierce determination to die rather than submit to an alien conqueror This determination to defend their islands is a fanaticism with the British It has been in their blood for a thousand years, and it is a factor which prospective invaders would do well not to ignore 6 rpHERE has been much speculation as 1 land in the summer of 1940. To us in London the first intimation that something was afoot came when a group of German prisoners passed through.

We were used to seeing German airmen in the railway stations. These men, however, were not airmen; they were infantrymen, and immediately the country began to seethe with rumours 21 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1942

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The British have never settled the matter officially. The only evidence I encountered of an attempted invasion was the report of a friend on the southeast coast who said that splintered barges and some bodies were being washed ashore. Hotelkeepers in the vicinity were said to have secured enough wood for the winter from the barge remnants.

Joe Harsch, formerly Berlin correspondent for the “Christian Science Monitor,” later told me that he had seen trainloads of wounded soldiers passing through Berlin at the time of the rumoured invasion attempt. William Shirer, in “Berlin Diary,” mentions these same trains.

My personal opinion is that the Germans were all set to invade, but that the RAF succeeded in smashing up the invasion fleet before it was able to get under way.

The British Army is the third strongest in existence. The great land powers of the moment are Germany and the Soviet Union. The question of which is the greater is now being resolved. On the land, as on the sea and in the air, the United States is growing rapidly in power. But to-day Britain is supreme, after Germany and Russia.

The British, realising that with their limited population they cannot hope to compete with Germany on a quantity basis, are attempting to train a force of unexcelled striking power. Churchill describes his men as “hardened, nimble and alert.”

According to those who have seen them in action, this is another understatement.

The men are getting the hardest kind of battle training.

SPECIALLY trained to raid the enemy coast are the famed Commandos.

These tough troopers, under the brilliant leadership of Lord Louis Mountbatten, have made daring raids into enemy territory and no doubt will make many more.

An individual Commando raid may not be important, but this type of warfare has great possibilities for confusing and harassing the enemy. English raids were highly successful in the Napoleonic Wars, and they have begun auspiciously in this war The enemy never knows where the Commandos will strike next, and he never knows when a raid may develop into an invasion. When the United Nations invade —as they eventually will —the disconcerting attacks of the Commandos undoubtedly will play an important part in the operation.

Much has been said and written, but little is actually known about the Commandos. The men must be good physical specimens; they must have a thorough knowledge of hand-to-hand fighting, and they must be extremely resourceful.

They have some unique weapons, including a combination knife-knuckle duster, which is said to be very useful at close quarters.

Landing in the face of enemy fire is one of the most difficult of all military operations. The fact that Hitler couldn’t do it when he had everything on his side shows what the United Nations are going to be up against when it is their turn to invade.

THE defeats suffered by Britain thus far in the war have led some to question her ability ever to challenge Germany on land. There are two explanations for these defeats: One is the fact that such landings as the one iQ Greece were lost causes from the beginning, undertaken only as delaying actions and to fulfil commitments which could not honorably be disregarded.

A second explanation involves what must inevitably be the pattern of Britain’s land strategy until she gets substantial assistance from her allies —the hit-and-run attack as distinguished from pitched battles in the classic sense.

Britain has neither the arms nor the men to slug it out with Germany. She must pursue a different kind of strategy, one that will permit her to make use of her overwhelming superiority in sea power and her developing superiority in air power.

Britain, with Germany, is like a pack of dogs harrying a bull. The bull is stronger than any one of the dogs, and he can break out of the ring at will. He can’t escape, though, and eventually the dogs bring him down.

The RAP, the Royal Navy, and the armies of the British Commonwealth are the dog pack which has been harassing the Nazi bull for nearly three years.

With the Russians holding the front on the east, and with our help on the other sides, the pack eventually should be able to close in and bring this encounter to an end. rE all-out war effort has not been achieved without a harrowing expenditure of blood and suffering.

There is a miserable canard to the effect that Britain lets others do her fighting for her. The Nazis employ this canard on every possible occasion, and they change it to appeal to whatever country they happen to be “softening up” at the moment.

According to Goebbels, Britain is always fighting to the “last Frenchman,” the “last Dutchman,” the “last Greek.” Now Britain is supposed to be fighting to the “last American.” We had a variant of this canard some years ago under the title, “England Expects Every American to Do His Duty.”

I am happy to help spike this kind of propaganda. The British are not angels, nor are they supermen. They are subject to all the frailties and the limitations of others. There is one thing, however. that can’t truthfully be said about them. That is that they are afraid to do battle when it is necessary to do battle in defence of their country. A million Britons laid down their lives in the combined effort to win the last war.

The British are prepared, if necessary, to do it again.

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men killed or wounded in land fighting have been British.

The ravages of the Battle of Britain, it goes without saying, were borne more or less exclusively by the inhabitants of the islands. Some 43,000 men, women, and children have been killed to date in this ghastly encounter. More than fifty thousand have been seriously injured, many of them maimed for life. rERE are a thousand bomb victims still lying in the hospitals of Britain, and 1,500 war orphans are available for adoption by the kindhearted people of the world.

Property losses of the war—bomb damage, sunken ships, destroyed or captured installations, lost supplies, and so on — run into many billions.

It takes money to win a war, and the British are spending money to the limit of the national exchequer. More money was spent in the first two and a half years of this war than in the four and a quarter years of the last war.

Hugh Dalton, President of the Board of Trade, describes Britain’s present system as “fortress economics.’’ Business goes through the motions of producing at a profit, and labour goes through the motions of working for wages, but the whole thing boils down to a kind of Spartan socialism under which employer and employee alike work for the State and are allowed to retain just enough of the necessities of life to enable them to keep going.

It’s the same system used by the Axis, except that this one is voluntary and the producers hope to get rid of it, or at least to ameliorate it, when the war is over.

BRITAIN is definitely beginning to look shabby. The people try to keep up appearances, to keep their cities clean and their clothes in repair, but the facilities and the materials just aren’t available. Meanwhile, food is rigorously plain and scarce.

The basic sugar ration is half a pound a week per person. The ration for fats is the same, for bacon or ham four ounces, jam four ounces, cheese three ounces, tea two ounces. The fat ration, which includes two ounces of butter a week, is about half the amount per person consumed here. Meat is rationed by price, each person being allowed 24 cents’ worth of meat per week.

Milk is rigidly controlled. Expectant and nursing mothers, and children under five, are allowed a pint a day; others get two pints a week, plus one tin of canned milk a month and one tin of dried skimmed milk per family per month. Milk is supplied free to persons in the first group if the family income is below a certain figure.

Eggs are like nuggets. The allotment is three a month, but few people are able to average more than two.

Clothing is rationed by coupon to about half the peacetime average.

Soap is also rationed, each person being allowed about a pound a month. Coal is allocated at a rate of roughly one ton a month. Motoring for pleasure has been abolished.

Shortages are rapidly becoming acute.

Country housewives are lighting fires with flint to save matches. Ten million goldfish are starving for want of imported food. Bottles are standardised to save glass. Business executives use kitchen tables in lieu of desks. It is always difficult and sometimes impossible to get anything repaired.

THE British carry on. Their morale is incredible. Out of the thousands of persons I met in Britain, only one was willing to concede the possibility of defeat.

They pan the Government and heckle speakers and vote unpopular candidates out of office. They growl at Churchill and Churchill growls back. They criticise the military and clamor loudly for a second front. A Nazi, planked down in their midst, would think that it was all over, that Hitler and Goering and Goebbels and Himmler had only to walk across the Channel and take charge.

It’s a mistake that has been made before. These people take their democracy seriously. They insist on the exercise of their civil liberties with an enemy at the door. They insist on the right to overthrow, through the exercise of the ballot, any Government which does not prosecute the war to their satisfaction.

They insist that the sacrifices they are making, and will make, shall not be in vain. Britons in every walk of life envision a land where the lust for power is supplanted by the will to do good, where the evils of the factory system are cured, where the cruelties of the struggle for existence are assuaged, where the inequities of an archaic social system are removed.

And the people of Britain, in dreaming of this new land, envision it as part of a world where nations are able to trade with one another and exchange people and spread culture and grow great (Continued on Page 24) 23 pacific islands Monthly SEFl’EMßfcft, 1^42

(Continued from page 23) without the periodical recourses to arms which have characterised world history up to now.

The people of Britain have gone allout to win the war. I think we may count on their co-operation in the even more difficult job of winning the peace.

PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPH OF CENTRAL PART OF THE SCENE OF THE SOLOMON ISLAND BATTLE THIS remarkable photograph has been made available to us through the kindness of the Melanesian Mission, in whose journal it has been published.

Although it was taken some years ago, it shows very clearly the scene of the Battle of the Solomons — which commenced in August, and which is not yet finished, because the Japanese still are counter-attacking from Ysabel or New Georgia, in an endeavour to deprive the Americans of their substantial gains.

The general situation in the Solomons is well known. Early in May, the Japanese occupied Tulagi. In the ensuingthree months, displaying extraordinary activity, they proceeded to equip Tulagi as a seaplane and naval base; they brought in large numbers of troops from the north; they put a circle of fortifications around Tulagi—on Tulagi itself, on Makambo, on Gavutu, and on the Gela shore; they constructed a field for land-planes on Guadalcanal; and, on Guadalcanal and Malaita, they constructed a wide or outer ring of defences, with Tulagi as the centre.

After bitter fighting, extending over most of August, the Americans threw them out of the whole of this Tulagi area, and American marines occupied the islands of Tulagi, Gavutu, Makambo, Guadalcanal and portions of Florida Island (Gela). There are few details of the battle.

The enemy’s naval and air forces were destroyed or driven away, and the marines —specially - trained, tough, commando-fighters proceeded to remove the Japs from the various islands and headlands where they had dug themselves in. This was no easy task. The small islands of Tulagi, Makambo, Gavutu and Tanamboga (an islet joined to Gavutu by a kind of causeway) have many holes and caves, and the Japanese got into these places and fought to the last man. But the United States marines were just as brave as they were, and much more ingenious; so the Japanese were cleaned out without the American losses being more than “severe.”

The Americans re-organised all the fortified places in and around Tulagi with remarkable speed; so that when the Japanese came back at them, they were more than ready. Early in the struggle a considerable Jap naval force came in close to Tulagi and, in the fierce exchanges, there were losses on each side.

The Japs withdrew. Then they sent in about 700 men, in speed-boats. They landed somewhere in the Tulagi area— just where, has not been disclosed —and the marines wiped out 670 of them, before the last 30 surrendered.

Since then, they have counter-attacked with considerable air forces —which, presumably, are based somewhere in the Northern British Solomons or Bougainville. But, by now, the Americans have brought the Jap-constructed airfield at Gaudalcanal into use, and they can take care of all enemy air forces.

This photograph is taken from a high point on the Gela shore, near the mouth of Boli Passage, apparently in the vicinity of Sarana. The view is along the broken southern shore of Gela, looking in a north-westerly direction. The large island of Gaudalcanal is behind the photographer, across a considerable strait, and the other large island of Malaita is out of sight to the right, behind the hills of Gela. Tulagi harbour is the sheltered water between Tulagi and Makambo, which lie close against the Gela shore.

Officials Checking War

DAMAGE AS an indication of what, probably will be done in Papua and New Guinea, it may be noted that, in August, Darwin was visited by the following officials, who were checking up on war damage:— Mr. Harry G. Alderman, an Adelaide barrister, who has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Government to investigate the impressment of goods by the Army and to ascertain the position with regard to property left in the town when the owners were evacuated.

Mr. Keith Bentzen, South Australian.

Controller of the War Damage Commission, with a staff of 15, was undertaking' the first investigation in an Australian, theatre of war. Members of the Commission’s staff were to visit all Darwin houses. They are assessing the value of the houses and their contents on the day 24 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

fore the first raid, assessing the dame done by enemy action and fire and iking an inventory of the present conits'of the houses.

ON Wednesday, June 24, when every British man in the world was displaying anger, disappointment and dismay over the resounding British defeat in Libya, I noticed that my desk diary for the day (printed mavbe a year ago) carried this quotation from Shakespeare:— This England never did, nor never shall Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror.

Come the three corners of the world in arms.

And we shall shock them: nought shall make ns rue If England to herself do rest but true.

R.W.R.

Native "Profiteers" In

PAPUA J 1 HE following appeared in a despatch from F. C. Folkard, published in “The Herald,” Melbourne :— THE influence of the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner (Professor Copland) has not spread to the natives of Papua.

Grass skirts valued at two sticks of tobacco—just sixpence—are being sold to souvenir-hunting Australian soldiers for 25/- each. Simply-carved palmwood swagger sticks bring 10/-.

Administration officials are becoming concerned over some of the get-richnatives who would obviously rather whittle wood than work on roads and quarries or carry 40 lb. packs for six hours a day. Steps may be taken to bring in local price-fixing for souvenirs.

Tobacco is still the main currency among New Guinea natives, and 480,000 lb. has been ordered for distribution at the rate of two sticks per native worker per week or to soldiers for the purchase of food from villagers.

One stick of tobacco—there are 26 to the pound—can buy a bunch of bananas, or a pineapple, or 30 betel nuts, or a dozen sweet potatoes or four yams.

Many natives, after working for the whites under present conditions, return to the villages as virtual millionaires, having saved up to 15 lb. of tobacco, which is sufficient to purchase a wife and live in comparative luxury for a long period.

Australian tobacco sticks are not popular because they are of plug type and easily fray.

Rev. M. Nixon, of the LMS, is reported to be safe and still carrying on his work at Lawes College, Fife Bay, Papua—unaffected by the close proximity of the war. 25

Pacific Islands Monthly September, 15* 42

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N. GUINEA THE Lutheran Missions at Madang and Finschafen, New Guinea, were exempted from National Security (Enemy Property) Regulations by an Order gazetted in Canberra on July 29 by the Australian Government. Property held or managed for the missions, including debts in respect of balances or bank deposits due to them, are exempted from the whole of the provisions of the Regulations.

“Home Brew” On The Tongan

FRONT And a Petition to the Government From a Special Correspondent HOME brew brings back democracy.

That’s a sentence to conjure with.

Like all true stories, it’s stranger than fiction. Let me tell you the story; and, since this is a story in the old classic meaning, it has a moral.

Out here in Tongatabu we witness many interesting things. Nothing is so fascinating as the sight of a native making his version of that alcoholic beverage, cousin to beer, namely, “home brew.”

You probably have brewed it in your kitchen, and so have your friends. Many a bath tub has been recruited for its manufacture. And many a friendship has been strained because of boasts that one friend makes better home-brew than another —not to mention the friendships that have been made, warmed and cemented because of an evening spent drinking home-brew and talking.

Home-brew, the drink within the reach of every man, the democratic beer! Alas, its manufacture requires a certain knowledge, a certain culture, a definite knowhow. It’s not enough to be told what the ingredients are. One must know how to brew it; one must have an understanding of the chemistry involved, however amateurish.

Thus it is that the sight of a native making home-brew is fascinating. He is innocent of even the remotest knowledge of what should be mixed, what should be done, what is supposed to happen before the mixture is to be taken.

Having seen perhaps a European manufacture the product, he, taking pride in his superior genius, will immediately proceed to manufacture it on his own.

And so he mixes anything that comes within reach of his hands. Tobacco, sugar, methylated spirits, vinegar, hops, water and what-not, in any or no proportions. One can well imagine the devilish and horrible concoction that results. And the sickness, * the pain, the eating away of the innards, the death that follows. Lest we forget, the violence and refusal to work his plantation!

IN order to put an end to this frightful state of affairs, the Government of Tonga recently passed a law prohibiting the manufacture of all alcoholic liquors. Home-brew was exiled from the kingdom, just because natives were abusing the right to make it.

Now, certain thinking people were for a law forbidding its manufacture by natives, when they saw the nameless stuff the natives were brewing and its effects upon the native, his private and social life.

But what was objected to, in betterinformed circles, was the complete and absolute prohibition of the manufacture of home-brew.

It was felt that the law was badly drawn in that it made no distinction between the European, who possessed knowledge of its manufacture, and who made it solely for his own consumption and not for sale, and the native, who was abnormally ignorant as to what should be done, and how, and who made it for sale. It was also felt that the European was being penalised for the natives’ abuses and faults.

Then, again, it was argued that the prohibition would mean the increased importation of beer and thus hamper the war effort, inasmuch as the space set aside for beer could be used for the transportation of much-needed foodstuffs and manufactured articles. The price of beer having risen, it was reasonable to suppose that only the better-fixed people would be able to afford sufficient bottles of beer.

The average fellow would have to severely limit himself —if he were lucky to get any, after the more influential have had their full.

It was the considered opinion of many business men and traders that the importation of manufactured articles rather than beer would be beneficial to the war effort, since it would give the native an incentive to manufacture and sell copra.

As it is, the shelves of the stores are empty, and the natives, having no use for the money they already have, find little reason to work. Consequently, copra production has dropped to an alarming level, despite the prevalent high price.

Rev. John Havea, described as “representing the fourth generation of his family in the Ministry of the Tongan Methodist Church,” arrived in Perth in August, and was the subject of an interview headed, “Tonga Ready to Fight,” in the “West Australian.” 26 September, 1942 pacific Islands monthly

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AN old friend who is now a member of the New Guinea Patrolmen writes bitterly to a wholly sympathetic editor: — “Something should be done to restrain the philologic ingenuity of these Australians. They have respect for neither man, nor officer, nor woolly-headed Papuan—some of the names they have coined are clever, and funny, but quite unprintable—and I am afraid that Papua, after they have done with the language, will never be the same again.

“Take our local organisation of fighters, for example They have done pretty well —I and my friends here are proud to be members of the New Guinea Patrol So naturally we were a bit upset to find ourselves referred to by the Aussie soldiers as ‘Them Eunuchs’. We knew of no reason for so unfortunate a term, and we demanded enlightenment.

But it was only the Aussie way of twisting the name of the ‘New Guinea Unit,’

The Australian soldiers just naturally called us ‘New Guinea Eunuchs’ —and, finally, just ‘Them Eunuchs’.

“Can’t you do something about it?”

EDITORIAL NOTE: Sorry. We know those Australians. There is nothing that one can do. Better accept the term, and glorify it—after the style of the “Rats of Tobruk.”

Quinine Shortage

THE War Production Board of the United States, on August 18, ordered druggists to return excess stocks of quinine and similar drugs to suppliers, because of a shortage resulting from the conquest of Java.

United States military operations in the tropical malaria belt have caused an increased demand for quinine. The order also prohibited the sale of quinine, cinchonine, cochonidine, quinidine, and totaquine, except for use as an anti-malarial agent.

Plans are under way for the largescale production of a synthetic quinine.

Scientists of the Allied nations now face the task of creating quinine synthetically, or of producing it by a slight chemical twist from related substances found in the bark of other trees (says H. C. McKay, in “Smith’s Weekly”). At present there are two promising quinine substitutes (both originating in pre-war Germany) which are being used freely in Australia and on our tropical fronts, but of which stocks will run out unless we devise a quick, cheap way of making them. These are atebrin and plasmoquin.

Neither is a complete cure for malaria, but, used in turn, wipe out the parasites in different stages of their development in patients’ blood. Atebrin kills the earlier stage, plasmoquin the later stage, in which the animals (actually the parasites are tiny animals, not germs) have developed separate sexes, male and female. With the worst type of malignant malaria, however, Army doctors rely on quinine bichloride (a very soluble form) injected straight into a vein for the first few days, followed by separate five-day courses of atebrin and plasmoquin in turn.

Word has been received from the three members of the Anglican Mission who were stationed at Gona when the Japanese invaded that part of Papua.

They state that they are “safe and well.”

Federation of English- Speaking World By Nicholas Hagen, Noumea 1 THINK readers of the “Pacific Islands Monthly” will be interested in something that I came upon in a book, the other day. It was written by Julian Thomas, otherwise known as “The Vagabond.”

He was a great advocate, in earlier days, in of what may be called “The Renaissance of the South Seas.” His books gave a vivid picture of South Seas life in the early days.

His view of the future was expressed in the terminal lines of his book, “Cannibals and Convicts” —published in London in 1887, but written some years earlier. I quote:— “Looking into the far future, I see a time, not that of which the poet wrote When the war drums throbbed no longer And the battle flags were furled In a parliament of men, The Federation of the World. but of a Grand Federation of the whole English-speaking world, when cannibals and convicts will have disappeared from the South Seas; when our dear old Motherland, with her eldest-born, the United States of America, and the Dominion of Canada, and Australia, peopled by millions, all bone of one bone, flesh of one flesh, shall be joined together heart and heart, hand and hand, and shall be so mighty in war that they can impose peace on the nations of the world.”

Let us continue to have confidence in those who have our destinies in their hands. Let us be well disciplined, and prepared for the after-war. 27

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Sir Maynard Hedstrom

A CHEERY letter, dated mid-June, has been received from Sir Maynard Hedstrom, in California, by Sydney friends. It was supposed that he went to San Francisco last October to receive specialist medical attention. Actually, he went to the United States to attend to urgent business connected with Morris Hedstrom Ltd., and Lady Hedstrom accompanied him.

They intended to leave San Francisco on their return early in December —but the outbreak of the war with Japan disorganised ah services and they could not get away. This probably saved Sir Maynard’s life. On December 16, while becoming reconciled to the idea of a long stay in the United States, he suddenly was attacked by acute appendicitis, and an emergency operation was performed.

He made satisfactory progress for three days, and then he took a serious turn for the worse. The doctors told him afterwards that for some days the chances were against him, and he was saved only by the use of one of the miracle-working Sulpha drugs. After that he made a quick and completely satisfactory recovery.

On learning that their Suva home has been taken over by the authorities for a special purpose, Sir Maynard and Lady Hedstrom decided to remain in California for the present. They have settled in an apartment at 360 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, California, and, although they are present in the country only on “visitors’ visas,” they are both looking for a war job.

When Lieutenant G. A. Loudon arrived in Papua a few weeks ago, he went out, in trepidation, to his rubber plantation.

He did not know what he would find.

“But,” he writes on August 24, "I was one of the lucky ones. My house was in perfect condition and all my old servants were on tap.”

Tonga’S Holy

WAR Memories of Sectarianism and the Unforgettable Shirley Baker

By F. T. Goedicke

WHEN I arrived in Tonga in 1885 —57 years ago—there were severe religious differences in the group.

The history of missionary effort in these islands from the early days of Europeans has been anything but peaceful. Almost from the start the islands were split between “Christian” and “heathen.” Among those killed during this stage were Captain Crocker and a number of men of HMS “Favourite” who participated in an unsuccessful attack on the “heathens.” Ten years after the arrival of French Roman Catholic missionaries, who were accepted by the socalled “heathen,” active hostilities ceased.

Then, for 30 years, the Wesleyans were the dominant power. But, in 1879, there was discontent among the Tongans because the Wesleyans were sending away big sums of money, which the natives gave to the church.

THAT same year, the much-criticised Rev. Shirley Baker was removed by the Wesleyans from the position of president of the Wesleyan Mission in Tonga. For a while, he bamboozled the Australian Wesleyan Conference—but ultimately he refused to leave Tonga. He then became Premier of the Kingdom of Tonga.

The Rev. J. B. Watkins, the King’s Sir Maynard and Lady Hedstrom. 28 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

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J. E. Moulton, who was appointed President of the Wesleyan Mission, became the object of the dislike of King George Tubou.

It was mamly for this reason that the King and Shirley Baker established a church of their own, plainly in opposition to the Wesleyans. But, when the Rev. J. B. Watkins returned to Tonga, he was appointed President of the Church inaugurated by the King. The active spirit was Baker’s, however, and it would seem that Watkins had little to say or do with the persecution that followed.

The Rev. J. B. Watkins was a sincere and deeply religious man, but at this time he was not strong enough to stand against the dominating personality of Baker, and a period of what can only be described as persecution set in. The Wesleyan missionaries strenuously opposed the effort to convert their members to the new Church.

THE light of the Gospel burned with rather a lurid glow in Tonga in those days. King George Tubou, who had fought the “heathen” when he and the Wesleyans were boon companions, was an eloquent speaker. With those whom he could not convert to the white man’s religion, in the early days, he took other methods —for, as he said, in a letter to the Wesleyans after the break with their mission: “You call me a murderer, but I killed only to make them join your Church—now I only ask them to join mine.”

Just as the Wesleyan missionaries in the early days had introduced warriors from the other two main islands for the purpose of forcing the “heathens” into the Wesleyan faith, Rev. Shirley Baker and King George now brought men from there to put pressure on the Wesleyans.

On the pretence that there was an insurrection against the King’s authority in Tongatabu, Baker summoned warriors from Haapai and Vavau, who came and spread over the country. No doubt, influenced by the fact that Tongatabu was their old enemy, they joyfully plundered the houses of the Wesleyans, flogging and insulting all who refused to join the new Church.

Two hundred of the more staunch Wesleyan adherents were deported to Fiji. Others were gaoled, and many were forced to flee to the bush. Baker passed laws that gravely harassed the rival church. The police looted and insulted all who would not assist the “Tavatina” Church (Free Church).

SIR Charles Mitchell, Governor of Fiji at that time, said in his report of the affair: . . . “that the King, chiefs and people wished to assume a more independent position in the Wesleyan body than that hitherto accorded them. I cannot think that the Conference (Australian) could have been well informed as to the grave discontent that even then existed in the minds of both King and people by reason of so large a sum of money leaving Tonga without the people, who subscribed it, having any real voice as to its disposal—notably in 1876, this surplus is admitted to have reached £2,000 to £3,000. The King and his supporters had therefore a very real grievance.”

However, the Governor’s report certainly did not favour the Rev. Shirley Baker’s methods of persuading natives to join the King’s new Church.

The Rev. Shirley Baker was ultimately deported by the British Government of Fiji. So the Wesleyans managed to survive the fight, but only after sustaining a great set-back.

Baker returned to Tonga and started a church of his own in Haapai (Church of England) and was later succeeded by the Right Rev. Alfred Willis, formerly Bishop and Court Chaplain to the Queen of Hawaii.

QUEEN Salote is now the head of the Wesleyan Free Church of Tonga.

The late Royal Consort, Prince Tugi, was a Wesleyan, and an ardent supporter of that Church. In 1924, Queen Salote made an effort to amalgamate the Free Church of Tonga with the Wesleyan Church, and she partly succeeded.

The statistics showing the adherents of the religion of the Kingdom are;— Free Church of Tonga .. 10,000 Wesleyan Church .. .. 18,000 Roman Catholics 4,500 Church of England . . . . 480 Latter Day Saints .. .. 650 Seventh Day Adventists . 250 Lutheran 14 Other Churches 180 No Religion 11 After much litigation, the Free Church was compelled to disband and hand over its property to the Wesleyans. This mission now is the stronghold of the churches in Tonga.

All these churches still make big collections of money. When I visited a small village in Haapai, the Wesleyan Church was holding its “Missonili” (mission meeting). It was a day when all else was put aside. At the church, the natives sang, and dropped their money in a big wash-basin; and the missionary thanked them and praised their generosity. They continued, and again the pastor thanked them; and, finally, at the end of the meeting, over 1,000 dollars had been collected! The natives regard this giving as their duty— and what would their neighbours and friends think of them if they did not give. So they make copra, and save for months, so as to be able to throw their all into the Church collection.

New Caledonia'S Dead

A DENSE crowd thronged the Cathedral in Noumea, recently, on the occasion of a memorial service for all those men of New Caledonia who fell in the Libyan campaign. The service was conducted by the Rev. Father Baileau, in the presence of civil and military officials of Fighting France and the Allies. 29 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEP 1* EMBER, 19'42

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Mr. T. A. Greene, of the British Service, New Hebrides, resigned on May 7. He entered the service in the Western Pacific in February, 1913, and transferred to the New Hebrides in 1940.

Over The Border!

New Guinea Labourers in Papua THE following appeared in an article, published in Melbourne “Herald” on August 31, from F. C. Folkard, “a ‘Herald’ war correspondent”:— “Now that New Guinea and Papua are under the one * administrative control, pidgin-speaking natives from the Mandated Territory are mixing freely with the Motuan-speaking Papuans. This is designed to break down the old territorial prejudices.”

And so there disappears, under the impact of war conditions, one of Papua’s most valued and jealously-guarded privileges—namely, the protection of Papua’s natives against New Guinea’s recruiters.

One can almost hear Sir Hubert Murray turning in his grave.

The guiding principle of Sir Hubert Murray’s long administration was his determination that, no matter how urgent the demand for native labour, the natives should be encouraged to retain their tribal independence, or to become peasant farmers and planters, rather than that they should be indentured as labourers. The recruiting of natives for plantations, mines, wharves, and industrial establishments was permitted, of course, and Papua never was really short of labour; but “the old Governor,” with grim resolution, saw to it that the proportion of natives undergoing this kind of “Europeanisation” was so small that it would not affect the Papuan natives as a whole, while they were adapting themselves slowly to the white man’s world.

When the total of indentured natives employed on the nearby Morobe goldfield of New Guinea crept up well beyond the 10,000 mark, and New Guinea recruiters were finding the going “tough,” Sir Hubert watched his borders like a wary old hawk. “Wouldn’t those fellows like to get their hands into the reservoirs of manpower on our side of the border!” I have heard him exclaim.

Natives from the Mandated Territory were not allowed into Papua, and vice versa. Both administrations were very strict about it. An occasional patrolofficer or prospector, who penetrated the mountain barrier from one Territory into the other, with native carriers, found himself under closest surveillance, until his natives were returned home.

Sir Hubert Murray’s insistence on keeping Pidgin-English out of Papua was another indication *of the principles of native administration to which he adhered. Motuan was selected to be the official native language of Papua, and its use encouraged in every possible way.

Nonetheless, while the New Guinea Pidgin was kept out, a kind of Pidgin- English, much simpler and clearer than the New Guinea variety, has been coming more and more into use, in recent years.

Now, since the two Territories are to be as one, we may expect that the irresistible Pidgin soon will be as common in Port Moresby as in Wau or Rabaul.

Personally, I never expected that Papua and New Guinea could indefinitely be kept so rigidly apart, and the attempt to maintain the two territories, in two separate and watertight compartments always seemed to me illogical and impractical. But, in relation to the administration and protection of Pacific native races, I regard the late Sir Hubert Murray as the most sincere and able man I eyer met; and, if Australia throws aside his native policy and his lifetime of work in Papua, without first examining carefully his principles and the things he accomplished, then Australia will be making a very grave mistake.

The old borders must go; the two Territories are certain to be merged; but that is not to say that the Murray native policy was wrong or misguided. There are only two Australian territorial administrations for which Australia has received the unqualified praise of colonial government experts—namely, those of Sir William MacGregor and Sir Hubert Murray, in Papua. That should not be forgotten.

It is known that on July 10 last three members of the Methodist Foreign Missionary Society (Sister Merle Farland, Rev. A. W. Silvester and Rev. J. R. Metcalfe) were carrying on their work in the Solomon Islands, free of enemy interference. 30 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

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J. H. L WATERHOUSE Death Removes a Pacific Education Expert AN expert on native education, Mr. J.

H. L. Waterhouse —a man whose whole life was dominated by a spirit of altruism, expressed in terms of interest in, and eagerness to help, the native peoples of the Pacific —died at Lindfield, Sydney, on August 20. With his passing, we lose one of those too-rare personalities who, in contrast with muddling politicians and insular busy-bodies, do much to raise European prestige among those whom they rule.

Son of the late John Waterhouse, MA, former headmaster of Sydney Boys’ High School and great-grandson of that John Waterhouse who landed in Hobart in 1839, to become first General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Mission in Australia, he carried on the family tradition of public service. From 1908 to 1917 he was in Fiji with the Methodist Mission, and was headmaster of the Boys’ High School; in 1918, he joined the staff of the mission in Rabaul, TNG. There he was officially an accountant, but his dominant interest lay in the natives themselves. He made a study of their languages, and in 1920 published a “New Britain Phrase Book.” Later, he transferred to the New Zealand branch of the Society and spent some years at Roviana, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, where his work was mainly in the mission schools.

Here, too, he continued his language study and compiled and published a “Roviana Phrase Book” and, in 1928, a “Roviana-English Dictionary.” Radio began to interest him at this period and, for some time, he was in charge of the mission’s wireless station.

Much valuable scientific and linguistic material was lost in March, 1923, when the SS “Mindini” went up on Mellish Reef and he, with other passengers, spent 24 hours on a sand cay.

During the depression, mission work was curtailed, making it necessary for Mr. Waterhouse to give up his teaching position. But grants were made him by Kew Gardens, London, and Yale University, USA, and thus he was able to spend the years between 1930 and 1933 collecting botanical specimens in Bougainville, studying native languages and culture, and doing other anthropological work.

As a result of a chance meeting with Brig.-General Griffiths, then Administrator of New Guinea, in 1933, he was offered and accepted a post as headmaster of the Administration’s school for native boys at Nodup, near Rabaul, and here he remained until evacuated to Australia in December, 1941. Here he did most valuable work, to which he devoted all his knowledge, skill and industry; and it is with this part of his life that present-generation Pacific residents are most familiar.

Mr. Waterhouse kept a remarkable visitors’ book covering this period—which his widow has made available to us Between the first entrv (of General Griffiths, on December 12, 1933) to the last (that of Sir Walter McNicoll, on December 18, 1941) there is a veritable pageant of people from the four corners of the earth, as well as from the Pacific Territories.

Authors', journalists and wanderers, missionaries and teachers, paid warm, spontaneous tribute to the work to which Mr - Waterhouse devoted himself so unselfishly, But the surest proof of his success came from Territory residents.

Dyed-in-wool Territorians planters, miners, policemen—totally unsentimental, and knowing the, native from hard experience—and not always loving him as a brother —they yet, in scores of instances, expressed their admiration for the work that was being done for him in this school.

Natives who attended the school, while being encouraged to retain their own native crafts and cultures, were given a broad “general knowledge” education in English and special subjects; and, at the time of the invasion, “old boys” were scattered all over the Territory as wireless operators, native teachers or working in the Native Police Force, the District Services or Medical Departments.

Cricket and football were played with all the natives’ enthusiasm for snort. A relation of some past nupils had made land available for a garden, where native and European vegetables were grown. An elderlv native had been nersuaded to give a series of weeklv talks on native house-building, canoe-building, gardening. fishing, etc.

In 1938 Mr, Waterhouse published yet another language book—“A New Guinea Language Book (Blanche Bay Dialect).”

In a foreword, Sir Walter Ramsay Mc- Nicoll expresses his appreciation and admiration for the work—which would lighten the Administration’s burden when going amongst new peoples—and for the labour it had entailed over a period of ten years. Noduo School. Sir Walter said was valued highlv by both the authorities and the public, and it was recognised that much of its success was due to Mr. Waterhouse’s knowledge of the local language, which enabled him to eet behind the thoughts of the natives, to understand their point of view and, therefore, to enjoy their complete confidence.

Mr. Waterhouse suffered a long period of ill-health. He was a sick man when he and Mrs. Waterhouse went south at the beginning of the year, just prior to the Japanese invasion.

Private H. G. Turner, of the AIP, has returned to Australia after two years in the Middle East, during which he was wounded at the Battle of Bardia, January, 1941. His father, Mr. Jack Turner, of Samarai, Papua, died not long ago; and his mother now resides at Elizabeth Bay, Sydney. 31

Pacific Islands Monthly September, 1 ? 4 2

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Roll Of Honour

(It Is hoped to assemble, here, the names of men, former residents of the Pacific Territories, which appear in British and Free French casualty lists, or in lists of honours awarded.

We should be grateful if relations and friends would send us details.) KILLED Pilot-Officer Len BAYLISS, flying instructor in the RAAF, formerly of Rabaul, New Guinea.

Killed in Sydney, 18/11/1940, when he fell from a trainer aircraft in flight.

A/Bdr. Neville W. BERTWISTLE, AIF artillery (tank unit), formerly a clerk on the staff of W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., of Rabaul, New Guinea. Killed in action, April, 1941.

Pte. W. R. M. BRADNAM, of the NZ Forces, formerly of Fiji. Reported killed in action in the Middle East, 25/11/1941.

Warrant-Officer R. F. BRECHIN, New Guinea Force. Killed in air accident, June 17, 1942.

Formerly of NG Department of Agriculture.

Flight-Lieutenant G. J. I. CLARKE, of the RAAF, formerly Assistant Flight Superintendent of Carpenter Airlines, New Guinea. Killed in action during operations off Dakar (French West Africa), while attached to HMAS “Australia”, September, 1940.

Georges CLEMENS, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported killed in action in the Middle East, March, 1942.

Flying-Officer Jack R. COATH, of the RNZAP, formerly on the staff of the Bank of New Zealand, in Suva, Fiji. Killed October, 1941, when a training aircraft crashed in NZ.

Pte. Felix CRAIG, AIF, formerly of accounts department, Australasian Petroleum Co., Port Moresby, Papua. Killed in action, June, 1941.

L. J. DAWES, of the NZ Forces,. formerly District Officer of Savaii, Western Samoa. Reported killed in action, February, 1942.

Pilot-Officer V. L. DEARMAN, of the RAAF (observer), formerly overseer and clerk at the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Ltd., Raravai, Fiji. Reported killed in action in the Middle East, October, 1941.

Captain Kenneth GARDEN, of the RAF Ferry Command, formerly of Guinea Airways Ltd., in New Guinea. Killed September, 1941, when a bomber he “ferried” from USA crashed on west coast of Britain.

Flying-Officer Moresby GOFTON, of the RAF, son of Mrs. F. S. Stewart, of Wau, New- Guinea.

Reported missing, 17/5/1940 —presumed killed in air operations.

Rifleman J. A. GOODWIN, AIP infantry, formerly. of Bulwa, TNG. Reported “accidentally killed”, April, 1942.

Pte. Wallace GRAHAM, of the NZ Forces (infantry), formerly on the staff of Morris Hedstrom Ltd., Fiji. Killed in action in the Middle East, November, 1941.

Squadron-Leader C. R. GURNEY, RAAF, a former chief pilot of Guinea Airways, Ltd.

Killed in action in the New Guinea area, May, 1942.

Gerald T. J. HARPER, RAF, son of Major and Mrs. P. Harper, of Ra, Fiji. Killed in action while navigating a Whitley bomber during a raid on the Continent.

Squadron-Leader Godfrey HEMSWORTH, of the RAAF, formerly a well-known commercial pilot in Morobe, TNG. Reported missing after an operational flight against the Japanese in the New Guinea area—now presumed killed in action.

Flying-Officer Alan JOHNSTONE, of the RAF, who was born in Suva, Fiji, in 1915. Killed during bombing raid on Kristiansand, Norway, April, 1940.

LAC Douglas KIRBY, RAF, who left Suva, Fiji, with the first contingent of Air Force trainees. Reported killed in a flying accident in South Africa, March, 1942.

Flying-Officer John C. LOWE, RAAF, formerly an overseer with the CSR Co. in Fiji. Reported, 11/4/1942, “took part in air defence of Rabaul, TNG, —missing, believed killed”.

Pte. L. F. McCarthy, ALP infantry, formerly supercargo on W. R. Carpenter and Co.’s Inter-island vessels “Desikoko” and “Mako”, in New Guinea, Reported “killed in action” in Syria, 30/10/1941.

Lance-Corporal A. D. MacPHEE, son of Mr.

R. D. MacPhee, Levuka, Fiji. He was 35, was a member of the AIF, and was killed in Greece, May, 1941.

Spr. A. L. MORANDINI, AIF Engineers, formerly of Konedobu, Papua. Reported killed in action, April, 1942.

Pte. Edward Harold PRICE, 2nd NZBF (Machine-gun Battalion), youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Price, Savu Savu West, Fiji. Killed in action during the Libyan campaign, Middle East, 27/11/1941.

Captain W. H. ROBERTS, NZEF, who was Accountant in the Samoa Treasury Dept., during 1934-35. Killed in action in Libya, December, 1941.

Cpl. Alex. C. SCOTT, AIF, formerly manager at Kieta, TNG, for Burns, Philp and Co. Ltd.

Killed in action in the Middle East, 19/6/1941.

Pte. Popoare TANGIITI, of the NZ Forces (Maori Battalion), formerly of Mangaia, Cook Islands. Reported “missing after Battle of Greece —presumed dead”, July, 1941.

Sgt. Edward WILSON, of Suva, serving in the Fiji Defence Force. Accidentally drowneid in the Lami River, Fiji, April, 1942.

Died From Wounds

Pte. Ernest HENRY, AIF, formerly of the Rabaul (NG) staff of Burns, Philp and Co.

Ltd. Died from wounds received in Battle of Crete, 1/6/1941.

Pte. Alec. MUNRO, NZ Forces, formerly of Norfolk Island. Died in Libya (Middle East), December, 1941.

Pte. Walter PEARSON, of first NG quota of AIF (infantry). Died from wounds received in action, 24/6/1941.

A/Bdr. W. R. SCOTT, AIR, of New Guinea.

Died from wounds, July, 1941.

Sgt.-Pilot Peter Clarkson WISE, of the RAF, son of Mr. W. Wise, OBE, Director of Public Works, Fiji. Died from wounds received during bombing raid over Germany, January, 1941.

Died From Illness

Pte. Clarence A. HUTTON, AIF, formerly of Edie Creek, TNG. Died from illness, April, 1941.

A/Sgt. J. H. STANE, Royal Australian En- 32

Sept Ember, 1942 Pacific Islands Monthly

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FIJI Representatives: Pearce & Co. Ltd., Suva. / A gineers. formerly of Port Moresby, Papua. Died from illness, May, 1942.

Major P J. WOODHILL, AIF infantry, formerly legal assistant in the Crown Law Office, Rabaul, New Guinea. Reported “deceased”, December, 1941.

MISSING Pte. P. F. BAILEY, AIF infantry, of Rabaul, TNG. Reported missing, 17/2/1942.

Pte. E. L. CHRISTIE, AIF infantry, of Rabaul, TNG. Reported missing, 17/2/1942.

Pte. A. G. DICKSON, AIF Infantry, of Rabaul, TNG. Reported “missing, believed wounded”, 17/2/1942.

Pte. R. J. PASCOE, AIF infantry, of Rabaul, TNG. Reported - missing, 27/1/1942.

Pilot Tom PATTERSON, of the RNZAF, formerly of Levuka, Fiji. Reported missing, in November, 1941, after bombing raid on the Continent.

Hector PILLING, RAF, who was born in Fiji and who was the son of Sir Guy Pilling, of Zanzibar (formerly of Fiji). Reported missing, while serving with the Royal Air Force Bomber Command.

Gnr. Allan H. ROSS, AIR artillery, formerly planter in .New Britain, TNG. Reported “missing—believed prisoner of war”, 28/9/1941.

Pte. William RUPE, of the NZ Forces (Maori Battalion), formerly of Aitutaki, Cook Islands.

Reported “missing after Battle of Greece”, July, 1941.

Pilot James SIMPSON, of the RAF, formerly of Vatukoula, Fiji. Reported missing after air operations over Malta, in the Mediterranean, 1/7/1941.

Pilot-Officer Neville George STOKES, of the RAF, formerly a pilot with Guinea Airways, Ltd., in New Guinea. Reported missing after air operations in Europe, December, 1941.

Reported Missing

Malaya Casualty List, Published 23/7/1942.

Pte. N. H. AMOS, artillery, Port Moresby.

Pte. E. L. CHRISTIE, infantry, Rabaul.

Pte. A. G. DICKSON, infantry, Rabaul.

Pte. A. I. FOLEY, artillery, Port Moresby.

W.0.l A. N. GRAY, ordnance, Rabaul.

W. 0.2 V. M. I. GORDON, artillery, Wau, New Guinea. v Pte. J. M. HIRSCHEL, infantry, Rabaul.

Pte. J. G. NEWTON, artillery, Port Moresby.

A./Bdr. B. L. J. MEETON, artillery, Rabaul.

Pte. D. M. SPENCE, artillery, Port Moresby.

Australia and Island Stations.

Pte. W. G. EKBLADE, infantry, Rabaul.

Pte. S. W. HUNTER, infantry, Kokopo.

WOUNDED Pte. V. BLANCO, AIF infantry, of Thursday Island. Wounded in action, July, 1941.

L/Cpl. J. P. BLENCOWE, AIF infantry, of Rabaul. TNG. Wounded in action, July, 1941.

Pte. George BUCKNELL, AIF, son of Mr, and Mrs. C. Bucknell, of Korolevu, Fiji. Wounded in action in Malaya, January, 1942.

Pte. Thomas BYERS, AIF infantry, of Thursday Island. Wounded in action, May, 1941.

Raymond CHAUTARD, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 1942.

Albert CUBADDA, of the Free French contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 1942.

V. FAIRHALL, 2nd NZEF, formerly of the Treasury Department, Western Samoa. Reported wounded in action, February, 1942.

Acting Warrant-Officer V. M. I. GORDON, AIF infantry, of Wau, TNG. Wounded in action, February, 1942.

Pte. John GRANT, AIF infantry, of New Guinea. Wounded in neck and thigh, September, 1941; later, reported “rejoined unit”.

Henri GUILBAUD, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 1942.

Sgt. C. HENDRICK, AIF infantry, of Rabaul, TNG. Wounded in action, July, 1941.

Stanley HIGGS, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Higgs, of W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd., New Guinea. Member of an English Lancers’ regiment, wounded during British evacuation from Dunkirk (Prance), May, 1940.

Lieut. Lloyd T. HURRELL, AIF Infantry, of Rabaul, TNG. Wounded in action, July, 1941.

Alexandre HUYARD, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 1942.

Sgt.-Pilot Andrew KRONFELD, of the NZ Fighter Squadron attached to the RAF. Wounded in knee during operations over France, December 1941.

Cpl. W. H. LANNEN, AIF artillery, of Rabaul, New Guinea. Wounded in action, June, 1941.

Gnr. E. G. LOBAN, AH’ artillery, of Thursday Island. Wounded during campaign in Greece, May, 1941; Invalided home after having his left forearm amputated.

Capt. (now Lt -Colonel) Edward Tiwi LOVE, NZ Maori Battalion, husband of Mrs. Takau Rio Love, Ariki-nui of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Reported missing during campaign in Greece, May, 1941; later, June, 1941, reported “wounded and saf 4 e • 4 A 1 4 .

A/Sgt. Alastair MACLEAN, AIF infantry, of Rabaul, New Guinea. Wounded in action, in Libya, June, 1941. _ S f J,' D Mc £ L ' s r MONT ’ NZEF > son of Capt.

D. McClymont, Harbourmaster of Apia, Western Samoa Wounded in action, November, 1941.

Cpl. R. McKERLIE, AIF, of Yandina, BSI, wounded in face by bomb explosion, April, 1941 Jean MERIGNAC, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 1942.

Henri MEYER, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 19'42.

S/Sgt. Graham B. MIRFIELD, AIF engineers, of Rabaul. New Guinea Wounded in action Pte. L. G. (“Mick”) REECE, AIF, of Bulolo’

New Guinea. Wounded in action, July 1941 Henri RIVIERE, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 1942, A/Cpl. N. K. SAWYER, AIP infantry of Rabaul, TNG. Wounded in action, July 1941 July> 294!. ’ ‘ Lieut. Jeffrey SEAGOE, serving with the British forces in the Far East, formerly of Vila New Hebrides, Reported “wounded in action”’

March, 19'42. ’ T at™ * , , Pt , L f ™ STAMPER, AIF formerly schoola^o^f aU ’ N6W Gumea - w °unded in action, Ue,usc ’ iy<u.

Pte - Har °ld G. TURNER, AIF, of Samarai, Eastern Papua. Wounded in action at Bardia (Libya), January, 1941.

Pte. F. D. TWISS, AIP infantry, of New 33 pacific Islands monthly September, igr 4 2

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:c< nrc^jp CH|V£RS COLO stand** 0 FRESH ENGLISH PEAS ***** *»<*»«> Guinea. Wounded in action, August, 1941.

Camille VINCENT, of the Free French Pacific contingent from New Caledonia. Reported a casualty in the Middle East, March, 1942.

Driver Don F. WAUCHOPE, AIF. Formerly employed on his brother’s plantation in New Guinea. Wounded in action, July, 1942.

Sgt.-Pilot W. WRIGHT, of the Australian Spitfire Squadron, attached to the RAF, formerly of New Guinea. Wounded in knee during aerial “dog-fight” over the English Channel, March, 1942.

Prisoners Of War

A/Cpl. Peter W. BOSGARD, AIF infantry, formerly of the Lands Department, Port Moresby, Papua. Reported prisoner of war at Sulmona, Italy, 29/6/1941; transferred to Bolzano prison camp, September, 1941.

A/Sgt. A. A. S. COTMAN, AIF infantry, of Abau, Papua. Reported missing—believed prisoner of war, 5/5/1941; reported later, July, 1941, “wounded in chest and head by shrapnel— taken prisoner”.

Pte. J. DALTON, AIF Transport and Supply, formerly of Thursday Island. Reported prisoner of war, April, 1942.

Pilot-Officer George Beilby EVANS, RAAF, formerly of New Guinea. Reported prisoner of war in Batavia (Java), June, 1942.

Pte. W. GOSSNER, AIF infantry, formerly of the BNG Development Co., Port Moresby, Papua.

Reported prisoner of war, Sulmona, Italy, 6/7/1941.

Lieut. J. M. HARCOURT, 2nd NZEF, son of Mr. H. W. Harcourt, formerly Deputy Treasurer in Fiji. Reported “captured in Libya and now prisoner of war”, March, 1942.

Gnr. A. L. B. KING, AIF artillery, of Rabaul, TNG. Reported prisoner of war, 29/7/1941.

A/Cpl. John H. LONERGAN, AIF, Supply and Transport, of New Guinea. Reported prisoner of war at Corinthia, Italy, 8/7/1941.

Pte. Ernest (“Paddy”) McGEADY, NZEF, son of Mrs. J. McGeady, of Suva, Fiji. Reported “missing, believed killed”, after fighting in Libya, January, 19'42; reported prisoner of war in Italy, April, 1942.

Observer Alex. McKAY, of the RAAF, formerly of the CSR Co.’s staff, at Penang sugar-mill, Fiji. Reported missing, 27/7/1941; reported prisoner of war in Italy, 26/10/1941.

Pte. Harry MARCHINGTON, of the NZ Forces, formerly of Fiji. Reported prisoner of war after Battle of Crete, 2/12/1941.

Pte. D. R. PHILLIPS, AIF engineers, formerly of Bulwa, TNG. Reported prisoner of war, June, 1942.

Pte. John O. SMITH, of the NZ Forces, son of Captain Arthur Smith, of the Fiji inter-island vessel “Tui Kauvaro”. Missing after battle of Crete, May, 1941; reported prisoner of war in Germany, 21/10/1941.

Squadron-Leader L. C. SHOPPEE, DSO, RAF, formerly of Edie Creek, New Guinea. Was in Java during Japanese invasion; now presumed to be a prisoner of war.

LAC Charles SOLLITT, of the RAAF (wireless operator), son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H.

Sollitt, of Nausori, Fiji. Reported missing after air operations in New Guinea, January, 1942; later, March, 1942, reported rescued from sea by Japanese—now prisoner of war.

Pte. Fred SWAN, NZ Army Medical Corps, formerly of Apia, Western Samoa. Missing after Battle of Crete, August, 1941; reported prisoner of war in Germany, November, 1941.

Pte. John D. WHITCOMBE, of the NZ Forces, formerly of Levuka, Fiji. Reported prisoner of war in Germany, November, 1941.

DECORATIONS Squadron-Leader G. U. (“Scotty”) ALLEN, RAAF, who is well-known in New Guinea and Papua, having been co-pilot on the “Faith in Australia”, on the first official air-mail flight to the Territories in 1934. Awarded the Air Force Cross for his work with Catalina flyingboats in Australia and the Pacific.

Major H. T. ALLEN, AIP, formerly of Wau, Morobe District, TNG. Awarded the OBE.

Sgt. Henry C. S. COTTON, of the RNZAF, who was born in Samoa (his father was Secretary of Native Affairs during the NZ military occupation). Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Squadron-Leader Godfrey HEMSWORTH, RAAF, formerly a well-known New Guinea pilot, who was killed in action against the Japanese In May. Posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross.

Flieht-Lieut. R. N. DALKIN, RAAF, formerly of W. R. Carpenter and Co., Ltd., Salamaua, TNG. Awarded the DFC for bombing raids against the Japanese in Koepang area, DEI.

Squadron-Leader C. R. GURNEY. RAAF, formerly of Guinea Airways, Ltd., TNG. Posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, for bombing raids on Japanese-held ports in New Britain.

Lieut. Colin HILL, RANR, of the Australian destroyer, “Waterhen”, formerly second officer on thp trans-Pacific liner “Niagara”. Awarded the OBE.

Flying-Officer James R. HYDE, of the RAP, formerly a Patrol Officer in Namatanai and Sepik Districts, TNG. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Lieut.-Commander A. W. R. McNICOLL, RAN. son of Sir Ramsay McNicoll, Administrator of New Guinea, and Lady McNicoll. Awarded the George Medal.

Sgt. Geoffrey MOORE, of the RNZAF, formerly engineer on the NG inter-island vessel “Maiwara” and on the trans-Pacific liner “Aorangi”. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Pilot-Officer Pat RICHARDSON, RAF, son of Mr. W. Richardson, formerly of Penang, Fiji.

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Commander Alvord S. ROSENTHAL, RAN, son of Major-General Sir Charles Rosenthal, KCB, CMG, DSO, VD, Administrator of Norfolk Island. Awarded the DSO, November, 1941; awarded the Bar to DSO. February, 1942.

Lieut. George Raymond WORLEDGE. of the RANVR, formerly of Fiji. Awarded the MBE (Military) Matches Rationed in New Hebrides IN a new Joint Regulation (penalty for any infringement thereof, £5O, or six months’, or both), people of the New Hebrideans are prohibited from importing matches from Australia except through one of four firms—Burns Philp & Co.. Comptoirs Francois des Nouvelles- Hebrides, Gubbay Freres, or Maison Barrau (Santo).

This new addition to the ever-increasing list of wartime regulations is designed to “control the importation of matches from Australia in view of anticipated shortage of supplies.” In Australia, smokers and housewives have known for some time that the shortage is no longer anticipated. It is here, larger than life, and matches have joined those other things, for the purchase of which, it is necessary to approach the shopkeeper with tact, a display of personality and an ingratiating manner. „ ~ , , , ~ Time was when Islands folk bought the things (origin Hongkong and variously branded, in lots of a gross of packets. All done up in a lead container, they were a “boy’s load” and were “thrown away” (along with razor blades!) for such,trivial things as a paw-paw, a green coconut or a couple of taros.

Rev. James Edwards, of the Melanesian Mission, will act as chaplain teacher at the Lockhart River Mission, in Australia, until the way is open for him to return to his former work in the Solomon Islands. 34 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

fkrtf HvlinWim "fk>f6too(es fam. Theft ss tnoda t dusl'uJi&n gloom tnaihd + unmaliiA i*ji S tkmk AS "HiJL “Hvtt6<, of' jiatJtrXaoh. has hcA*\, ain i fcA 140 tjQaK"

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Battle At Milne Bay

"Whole Position in New Guinea is Better"

T ONG months ago, the “PIM” pointed out that the Japanese could not hope to take Port Moresby unless they came through China Strait, past Samarai, and attacked along the southern coast. It was no use their basing land operations on Lae, or Salamaua, or Gona—they could not get through the central mountains. Sooner or later, we argued, they would find that out.

But Australian calamity-howlers—and especially pin-headed newspaper folk with no real knowledge of the country— insisted that Port Moresby was “menaced by Japanese jungle-fighters infiltrating through the jungles and the mountains.”

We were sure that the Japanese, sooner or later, would try to get command of China Strait; and it was great reassurance to us to learn that the High Command had made a shrewd appraisal of the situation, and was on the job.

It was difficult to know how that Australian force was kept hidden in Milne Bay, away from Japanese reconnaissance.

But hidden it was. When, eventually, the Japanese came into the Bay, on August 26, their behaviour suggested that they were unaware of the presence of so many Australians. Or perhaps they were so “cocky” that they thought they had only to march in and take possession. In any event, they were sharply undeceived.

Among a welter of correspondents’ fragmentary reports it has been difficult to follow this Milne Bay operation.

However, the story was cleverly and effectively reconstructed, from available information, by Sir Keith Murdoch. Sir Keith is now head of the Melbourne “Herald” group of newspapers, and seldom writes. But in 1914-18 he was by far the best Australian war correspondent in Europe, and he seems to have lost none of his skill.

A modern war correspondent seldom really sees a battle. If he is to tell an effective and truthful story, he must reconstruct it from the bits and pieces made available by observers and participants from all parts of the wide area concerned—and no man can do that unless he has imagination, logical reasoning and remarkable powers of deduction.

Here is the account of the Milne Bay Battle, as described by Sir Keith Murdoch, in the Melbourne “Herald” of September 2.

THE Milne Bay episode was satisfactory and heartening. It could have been better only if we had had on the spot at the right time the divebombers and torpedo-bombers needed so badly to blast the Japanese ships from the sea as they approached our bases.

Milne Bay is a long, deep-water harbour some seven miles wide; humid jungle reaches into the sea waters through swamps and marshes. Japanese pearl luggers used it until recently, and no doubt their captains took ample soundings.

FOR some time we have had an airfield on the southern side. We have called it Samarai, because the pomt is mostly known by that name.

The Japanese knew of the airfield and other works. What they did not know was the strength with which we were prepared to defend them.

Part of the Japanese expedition loomed up on Tuesday morning (August 25) from the south-west. It sent out some barges toward an island position. This was probably a feint. Our aeroplanes destroyed the barges, and thereafter were active whenever the heavy clouds and storms gave them a chance.

Other classes of bombers would have been infinitely more effective; our best weapons proved to be the fighter planes with heavy machine-guns.

On Tuesday night more Japanese arrived. Two cruisers, some destroyers, two transports, mine-sweepers and barges steamed to the middle of Milne Bay, and sent ashore troops, tanks, mortars and stores.

The ships got away in the morning, but not before one transport had been set on fire.

The troops set out for Koebul, one of the half-dozen mission stations in the area. Estimates of their tanks vary from two to five, and of their men from 500 to 2,000.

This will soon be cleared up. What is certain is that it was a well-found expedition, intended to seize the airfield.

These Japanese light tanks are something of a mystery. They are about five tons in weight and they take a lot of landing. They have been used in the Philippines, Malaya and Java. They are so light as to be easy victims of antitank guns, but even on jungle tracks they have a big value if the other side has none. In this case the tanks succeeded in disturbing our posts, but our men soon got their measure.

The Japanese belonged to the class of troops used so much in China, in the Philippines and in Malaya to effect landings on defended coasts. These were a jungle variety, wearing light jungle green uniforms. On their dead were found the insignia of the special corps.

They followed the Malayan formula.

When they found frontal opnosition— which they did much sooner than they expected—-they scattered into the iungle and began to squirm, climb and hew their way to their objectives.

For three days difficult and intensive fighting prevailed.

We had some of the finest men produced by Australia, hardened, fit, and trained for some months in tropical warfare, in well-placed posts, defending all the approaches to the aerodrome.

Our New Guinea air force had been mustered with great effect. The Japanese land positions were heavily bombed and machine-gunned. Some of the finest Australian pilots, with European experience, wore in these attacks. One was a prominent leader. The fighters came low and attacked tanks and troops, and sprayed the tops of trees, which Japanese junglemen use with skill.

The Japanese support by air was surprisingly weak. It may have been because Ki ttyhawks had settled 13 Zero fighters on the ground at Buna in two surprise attacks.

How far the Japanese got around the Bay is not yet clear, but they appear at stage to have had a hold upon the Gin Gih plantation and the wharf. Some (Continued on Page 38) 35

Pacifiq Islands Monthly September, 1 S' 4 2

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Papua Missionaries

Carrying on on North-east Coast WORD comes from Bishop Strong, of Papua, that Archdeacon Gill, Rev.

J. Benson, Miss May Hayman and Miss M. Parkinson, who were at Gona when the Japanese invaders appeared, are now safe and well. Those missionaries who were in the vicinity of East Cape are also reported to be safe and were carrying on their work, in mid- August.

Rotuma'S War Effort

rE war-effort of the people of Rotuma, the small island dependency of the Colony of Fiji, is going to take some beating.

In early August, the District Officer at Rotuma informed the Colonial Treasurer that the Chiefs of the island had informed him that the inhabitants were prepared to give a percentage of their copra sales towards winning the war.

As copra is the only important export, times in the past have been hard for Rctumans, and it says much for the generous spirit of the people that, now that their produce ,is finding a market again, they willingly and spontaneously made this contribution.

It is estimated that about £l,OOO will be made available in this way.

The only ceremony held in Noumea to commemorate France’s National Day (July 14) was the march-past of Fighting French and Allied troops. A dense and enthusiastic crowd witnessed the review of the troops by Contre-amiral Thierry d’Argenlieu, General Patch and Fighting French and Allied officers.

"Home-Brew "

An Acute Problem in Fiji RECENTLY when a Fijian was brought before the Police Court in Suva on a charge of being unlawfully in possession of liquor, the superintendent of police asked the Bench to deal severely with the case, because this class of offence was not only prevalent but actually was getting beyond control. The liquor, he said, was “home-brew” and was much stronger than ordinary beer.

The demand for liquor is so acute that natives and others are being induced to make “home-brew.”

The Fijian, when the police entered his house, which was in the vicinity of a military camp, was found to be in possession of over 100 bottles of homebrewed beer. He was fined £lO or two months’ imprisonment.

In presenting to the magistrate another man, a Chinese, who had been caught supplying liquor to members of the armed forces, the police again pressed for a heavy penalty. Since the law prohibiting the sale of liquor by the bottle had come into operation, they said, there had been a sudden and alarming increase in purchases of liquor wholesale by certain Chinese, who were suspected of retailing it to soldiers.

The Chinese, who pleaded guilty, was fined £3O, or two months’ imprisonment.

Another Chinese, who was caught selling a bottle of whisky to a soldier for 25/-, was fined £5O or three months’ imprisonment.

It is reported that in spite of these heavy penalties, the offences against the liquor laws continue and that the fines are paid—the offenders do not go to gaol.

Paper Substitute

mHE paper-mulberry tree, which is X found on many of the South Sea Islands, has been put to a new use.

Normally the bark of the tree is made into tapa by the islanders who, until the arrival of European traders, had no other cloth. The method of preparation, which is carried out by women and girls, is to beat the raw product into strips, which are soaked in water, dried and joined together with the gum of the breadfruit tree. Stencilled designs of various colours are often added.

A resident of one of the Pacific groups told the New Zealand “Herald” that, before he left the islands large quantities of the bark of the paper-mulberry were being dried and exported to the United Kingdom to be used in the manufacture of paper.

Mr. W. E. Donevan, Chief Clerk of the Treasury, Fiji, was appointed to act temporarily as Deputy-Treasurer and Accountant-General in August, in the absence of Mr. A. R. W. Robertson.

Mr. H. M. W. Richardson, of the Malayan Civil Service, who was seconded to the Fiji Government to act as Adviser on Air Raid Precautions, has been doing good work in the Colony. He has been getting large audiences together and giving useful lectures, describing the conditions with which the people of Fiji would have to cope in the event of an air raid. The wisdom of this kind of preparation is apparent, as Fiji would be exposed to enemy attack in the event of the Allies’ defences giving way. m the Solomons, or further west. 36 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER,

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Women's Voluntary Service in Fiji IT is probable that Fiji might have compulsory national service, stated the new Governor (Major- General Sir Philip Mitchell) in a message to the organisers of the inaugural meeting of the Women’s Volunteer Service in Fiji.

It is. however, in the best interests of the Colony that people should be used in the jobs for which they are best suited; and it is with the object of training for those jobs that the women of Suva met in the Regal Theatre recently and elected Mrs. Newboult, the wife of the newly-arrived Colonial Secretary, to be organiser of the new service.

Mrs. Newboult has had considerable experiences of the “blitzes” in Britain, and she gave the meeting some vivid descriptions of life during the bombing of London and country districts.

Mrs. Elizabeth Teall and Sister R.

Cunnold, of the Melanesian Mission, are in Sydney at present waiting, impatiently, for completion of arrangements for their return to their work in the New Hebrides.

Early Settlers In

WOODLARK IS.

By D. H. Osborne WHO were the earliest settlers in what is now Eastern Papua?

The Roman Catholic Mission made a settlement on Woodlark Island, but did not remain long. Some of the concrete foundations of their building still remain to mark the old site of the station.

A German settled in the Laughlin group off Woodlark, before Papua became a British possession. The Laughlins were recognised as a German possession, for a time, but were exchanged between the British and Germans for some other territory. The late Mr. R. E. Lee and his wife lived there for a time. At one time, a lot of copra was produced there —probably the first copra shipped from Papua. Of late years, the crops on the coconut trees have been small, due to the age of the trees.

The first traces of gold on Woodlark Island were found by a man named Burke. He was collecting orchids and birds. He saw colours of gold in a stoney bar in one of the water-courses. He reported the matter to Dick Ede and Charlie Lobb. They prospected the creeks and found payable gold. Woodlark was a fairly rich field and living was cheap.

Some gold was worked on the coast.

There are several good anchorages, and boats from Cooktown could anchor near the mining camp. This Woodlark rush developed before the days of motor boats, and steamers were few. Miners had to depend on sailing craft. The S.E. winds were beam winds from Cooktown, and the sailing boats made fast passages during the S.E. season. The natives were friendly, and a fair quantity of native food was obtainable at a reasonable price.

The late Jim Gallah was a hot-headed Irishman. He had hung his blankets outside his camp before leaving for his work, some distance from his camp. Another white man, passing, saw rain coming and threw the blankets on to Gallah’s bunk. Gallah returned to the camp and missed the blankets. Without looking in his camp, he rushed off to a native village and started knocking the natives about. Two natives tackled him, one with a spear, the other with a stick. He was badly knocked about, but recovered after a few weeks’ nursing by other miners. The natives (father and son) were sentenced to imprisonment in Samarai for a short term, and the old man died before his term was finished.

Two or three years later a man named Penny was murdered by two Woodlark natives. Penny’s body was found in the water, and his death was put down to a crocodile. Later, it was proved that he was murdered, and two natives were hung for the crime. Penny had a brutal temper and had served 9 months in Samarai goal for a savage assault on his mate on Woodlark. Penny was a hard worker.

While he was serving his sentence he cut the well known road around the island of Samarai. It was only a narrow track then, but since it has been cut much wider.

Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Barker, formerly of the Methodist Overseas Mission, Suva, Fiji, have now taken up residence in Western Australia.

Miss Helen Fagan, of the Melanesian Mission, has returned to her station on the island of Aoba, New Hebrides.

Mile. Ludovia Ozoux, formerly on the staff of Etablissements Ballande, Noumea, was chosen as the Free French “Queen” for Allies’ Day, held recently in Sydney. 37 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1942

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Bank of N.S.W. Buildings, REGENT AND GEORGE STS., SYDNEY. infiltrated to the edges of the aerodrome.

The jungle is so thick that men can pass unseen within a few yards.

Cruisers and destroyers came into the Bay during Thursday night, and landed more troops, departing at daybreak for some sheltered cove.

THE struggle on land covered a wide area, something like ten miles, but I doubt if the local commanders were ever really anxious. We had substantial numbers of good troops, and by air and by land were punishing the invaders heavily.

But when during Saturday night a Japanese cruiser and eight destroyers were spotted approaching the Bay, it was expected that reinforcements were coming to the enemy.

The main Australian counter-attack was to come on the Sunday. When our men struggled through the swamps and undergrowth they found some of the Japanese had gone.

The Japanese left some scores of dead.

This in itself proves they went in haste and disorder. They go to great pains always in carrying away their dead and wounded.

The Japanese have had nothing to boast about—although boasting they have done in plenty—since we all got our second wind in the Pacific. Coral Sea. Midway Island, Solomons, and Milne Bay—all have been defeats, and they have no victories to set against them.

It is true that they hold Gona and Buna, but while they have complete sea control to the north of New Guinea, and we lacked the right type of bombers on the spot at the right moment in adequate numbers to keep their ships from the New Guinea coast, they could go where they wanted about those parts.

The whole position in New Guinea is better. It is not so many months —certainly not further back than the time of Java’s conquest—when a quick move by Japan would have thrown us out of Port Moresby. We had made inadequate provisions.

Now the picture is entirely different.

There are new aerodromes, roads, defence works in plenty; many troops and much aggressive activity. Morale is high; patrols go far inland; sections are maintained, as the communiques now show, as far inland as at Lae and Salamaua.

To-day we are fighting close to the back doors of these northern New Guinea coastal settlements, and at Kokoda, also on the Japanese side of the mountains, we are denying our enemy the use of the airfield which would bring his fighters so close to Port Moresby.

The position is difficult, because of the Japanese capacity to pour in strength; but it is hardening all the time in our favour.

The destruction of Zeros from Darwin and from north-western bases lately has been one of the happiest and most significant of events, Descripfion of Milne Bay MILNE Bay really is a beautiful place.

Not exotically so, as many tropical settings are, but just plain lovely.

Some 30 miles long and from six to 12 miles wide, Milne Bay is the fork in New Guinea’s lizard-like tail. It lies just northward of the destroyed islandtown of Samarai, the short and narrow China Straits between Sariba Island and the mainland being the sea link between the two.

The bay is U-shaped and the water mostly deep- and reef-free. There are numerous native villages and European settlements on its shores, and at the head of the Bay there is some of the richest agricultural land in Papua.

In the early days there was a big gold rush inland from the head of the Bay, and gold is still won there in fair quantities by persistent prospectors.

However, Milne Bay is mainly noted for its many large plantations. Lever Bros., Burns. Philp & Co., Vavasseurs Ltd., and the British New Guinea Trading Co. all own extensive properties on 38 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

Milne Bay Battle

(Continued from Page 35)

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Lever’s “Gili Gili” and Vavasseurs’

“Ahioma” estates were used exclusively for the manufacture of desiccated coconut and their factories employed many hundreds of native workers.

Also in the Bay are many stations of the Kwato Industrial Mission, which has done splendid work for the Papuan natives. The headquarters of this mission were at Kwato Island near Samarai, and the mission specialised in teaching the natives useful trades such as carpentry and boat-building.

Two members of this mission, Mr. Cecil Abel, son of the mission’s founder, the late Mr. Charles Abel, and Mr. Geoffrey Baskett, remained behind at the time of the general evacuation, to carry on their work among the natives.

The northern side of Milne Bay is joined by a long and narrow peninsula, the eastern point of which is East Cape, the easternmost tip of New Guinea.

Some 200 odd miles to the north-east from this cape is Buna, where the Japanese made their first sortie on Papuan soil.

Eastward from Milne Bay begin the string of islands that form the Louisiades Archipelago. At least one of these islands—Pana Pom Pom in the De Boyne group—has already been occupied by the Japanese, and 400 miles further eastward, of course, are the Solomons.

A dozen miles northward from Milne Bay is Normanby Island, of the D’Entrecasteaux group, a rugged and mountainous cluster of islands with many fine harbours—one of which, Sewa Bay, is among the finest of the world, capable of sheltering all Japan’s Navy. The channel between Normanby Island and East Cape is known as the Goschen Straits.

Sixty miles north of the D’Entrecasteaux group are the Trobriand Islands, and somewhere between these two groups the invading Japanese convoy was sighted and bombed.

The death was announced, on August 5, of Mrs. J. P. Watt. She was the widow of the late Rev. W. Watt and a link with the older tradition of New Hebridean mission work. She was a fund of information on the Group, and retained her interest in this field to the last.

Mr. H. Robinson, who was a missionary with the Methodist Mission in Papua, is now a Warrant Officer in the New Guinea Forces. He writes that he was able to visit Dobu, and made contact with a number of Papuan and other Island teachers. 109,000 JAPS REMOVED From Californian Coast of USA r THE following article is from “Far x Eastern Survey,” published in New York on June 29, 1942.

Ttttt + - , .. #, 1 1 HE total evacuation of the Japanese from the Pacific coast of the United States is an unprecedented event in our national history. So momentous is it that it merits careful and continuing examination b<pth as a war measure and in its implications for post-war policies.

A statistical description of the evacuation would read: Approximately 109,000 persons of Japanese stock lived in Military Area No. 1, the broad 150-mile strip a lc) ng the Pacific coast, at the time the United States entered the war. Of this number, about 9,000 moved out of that area before March 29. 1942, when further I2 ll i n fu ry A evacuatlon was prohibited, so that the Army evacuated about 100.000.

Not quite half of the evacuees were agriculturalists; in California they raised S p !£ c . ent - all truck cr °P s grown in the State in 1941. Aliens numbered 40 per cent., and citizens by birth in the United States, 60 per cent.; but, with the older generation rapidly dying off, the percentage of citizens thus moved will soon be 80 per cent.

The military historian will record that evacuation was caused by our involvement in a two-ocean war, the west coast thereby being left in danger of a Japanese invasion in which fifth columnists “might play a disastrous part. The social historian would add that complex forces were at work; the treachery of the Japanese Government; the unpreparedness of the American forces at Pearl Harbour; the tradition of vigilantism in the west; certain economic and political mterests eager to profit by expulsion of the Japanese: anti-Oriental prejudice, the present outburst being only the latest of the racial eruptions that began seventy years agn; and the general acceptance by the public of the rumours of sabotage by Japanese residents in Hawaii.

The g rounds for the total evacuation announced by the Government were summed up in the blanket phrase “military necessity.” When the President, by his order of February 19, 1942, gave the Secretary of War authority to exclude any persons from prescribed areas, he based it on the necessity of “protection against espionage and sabotage.”

In the exercise of this authority, General De Witt’s staff has indicated that his orders for indiscriminate evacuation of all Japanese were due to fear of Japanese fifth column sabotage and to fear of mob violence against Japanese residents in case of further military reverses or of an attack by the enemy on the west coast.

It is impossible, of course, to prove that national security did or did not require this evacuation; that could only have been demonstrated by trying a less drastic solution and waiting to see what hanpened. The stakes were high, and the Army apparently would not take responsibility for less-than-complete precautions As for mob violence no one who was on the s£StlnMember and January would dispute that General De Witt had grounds for fear. Public hysteria was due, in large measure, to reports that resident Japanese had rammed planes at Pearl Harbour with trucks and had blocked highways leading to the harbour Not until three months after the Pearl Harbour attack were these reports denied by Hawaiian and Federal authorities belatedly helping to allay hysteria and reducing the danger of violence. The official Roberts Report stressed Japanese espionage in Hawaii, but neither affirmed nor denied that there had been sabotage, The Executive Order of February 19 embraced Hawaii as well as all parts of the mainland, but no Japanese evacuations from Hawaii have been announced although persons of Jananese ancestry number more than one-third of the total population.

The Secretary of War has made no public explanation of this striking difference in policy from that pursued on the Pacific coast. Ships would be necessary to evacuate any large number from Hawaii, and the shipping shortage mav be one factor. Moreover, Hawaii needs all available labour, including Japanese in defence work and on the plantations.' 39

Pacific Islands Monthly September, Is'42

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At All Chemists and Stores. wmm M per Tablet- W H TOil£T mm* TENAX Genuinely Germicidal SOAP 100 YEARS AGO How English Mission Took Christianity to Loyalties Prom Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA, August 8.

THE island of Lifou, largest of the Loyalty group, which lies 50 miles off and parallel to the east coast of New Caledonia, has just been celebrating a centenary—that of the beginning of the island’s evangelisation by a Samoan named Fao.

In 1840, the English missionary, John Williams, embarked on the brig “Camden” a number of Samoan teachers who were to spread Christianity throughout the South-west Pacific. They were put ashore at various parts of the New Hebrides; but, on landing at Erromango, John Williams himself was killed and eaten. The “Camden” then touched at the Isle of Pines, and the Loyalties, before landing other teachers on the west coast of New Caledonia, at the Bay of St. Vincent.

Of the Loyalty islands, Mare was the first to receive attention, the three lay brothers, Tataio, Taniela and Fao being landed. Thev were cordially received by hisrh chief Naisseline, grandfather of the present chief, so many of whose subjects have volunteered for the Free French naval and military forces.

But in 1841, which was the time of the Samoans’ arrival, the neighbouring isle of Lifou was the scene of an insurrection, chief Boula and his family, known as the Api Co, having been chased away by their subjects, the Angaetra. They took refuge at the village of Gaitcha, with chief Zeoula, and sent an envoy, named Nazohri, by canoe, to Mare, to demand help from chief Naisseline.

The latter assembled his best warriors and embarked them on his war fleet, together with the three Samoans. They landed on the beach at Ahrarewed, near a place called Mou, where they camped.

From here, they sent a message to the council of chiefs owning allegiance to Boula, through chief Lue Melem, who had been elected head of the Angaetra at the time of the ruling family’s flight.

Naiselline demanded that Boula should be re-established on the throne and that the Samoan Fao should remain on Lifou to teach the gospel. Otherwise, war to the knife.

Luc Melem accepted these conditions and made his peace with Boula, and Fao was authorised to teach the Lifouans Christianity. He built the first church on Ahrarewed beach, where he had landed, and it is here that a monument recording the centenary has just been erected., Unfortunately, owing to war rationing and drought, the fete could not be kept up for long. One of Lifou’s high chiefs, incidentally, is still a Boula; one meets him, as well as Naisseline, when official business calls to Noumea.

In May, 1884, a decree obliged all schools in the Loyalties to teach French.

Those, which for decades had taught in the native languages and in English were closed altogether. The few English missionaries. who had. done sterling work there, were forced out of the country— being sneered at on passing through Noumea as “English Tartuffes.” One of them, the Rev. Mr. Jones, who worked for years in Mare, recently died in Sydney at a ripe old age. French Protestant missionaries who succeeded him have paid tribute to his work.

Good Wishes to "France Combattante"

NOUMEA, August 10.

ON the eve of his departure from,. Fiji the British High Commissioner (Sir Harry Luke) addressed a telegram to High "Commissioner d’Argenlieu, expressing his sincere wishes for the future prosperity of the French Pacific Territories, and for the success of the cause of France Combattante and that of democratic liberty, of which France had so long been champion.

Too Many Mongoose

Fiji Pays a Bonus For Tails THE mongoose, which came to Fiji from India with the Indians, is becoming so serious a pest in the large island of Viti Levu, that the Government has been forced to take action.

A substantial bonus for mongoose tails has been offered by the Department of Agriculture, and it is hoped that, as a result of this, the spread of the creatures may be limited.

Unfortunately, this bonus applies only to mongoose caught within the peninsula of Suva. Country dwellers protest that the mongoose is a greater pest with them than it is about the city of Suva, and they ask for remedial action. But, of course, funds for this purpose are limited, and it is not expected that the plea of the country-dwellers will be given much consideration.

The mongoose, in India, is a ferocious little animal which is regarded as a friend of man, because of its activity in killing snakes. In Viti Levu, however, it has been diverted from its original purpose—which apparently was anti-rat — and it now preys upon fowl-yards to such an extent that in many cases entire communities of hens have been destroyed.

The Fijian island of Viti Levu provides an interesting example of how stupid interference by man can disturb a balance of nature achieved over thousands of years of natural evolution. The limited indigenous fauna of Viti Levu has been practically wiped out during the past quarter-century, and there is now established there the minah and the bulbul, two birds from Asia which have driven the Fijian birds back into the recesses of the inland mountains; the mongoose, from India, which seems to have taken possession of the thickets in the manner described; and the giant toad, an amiable reptile introduced from America to cope with pests in the plantations. but which has flourished and multiplied to such an extent that it now is found in every water-hole and patch of grass.

Deer In New Caledonia

NOUMEA, August 10.

DEER are reported in very large numbers this year in the Hienghene region. A great many have been shot.

The Colony’s meatworks have resumed the killing of cattle, a sufficient supply of tin for canning having been obtained from abroad. 40 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

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AS all Territories residents know, the rainy season is now approaching in New Guinea —and the rainy season will very definitely handicap junglefighters and air-fighters in this great island.

Many questions have been asked as to when the rainy season actually commences.

Actually, it covers different periods in different parts of the mainland. Along the north-eastern slopes of the Owen Stanley Range, in the country now occupied by the Japs between Buna and Salamaua, the rains piobably already have commenced. It is quite likely that the Japanese there are suffering extremes of inconvenience and discomfort on their track from Buna right up to their present lines overlooking the Port Moresby country. But, on the southern side of the range, in the region of Port Moresby, the rains probably will not really commence until December. The Australian commanders knew this, and there may have been shrewd design in their withdrawal from the Kokoda area to their present positions.

Nevertheless, many people are asking why the Australians were so quickly and unexpectedly withdrawn from the Kokoda district to the southern slopes of the mountains.

WE cannot do better than quote from a despatch from F. C. Folkard, correspondent of Melbourne ■'Herald” and Sydney “Sun,” published on September 14.

When Mr. Folkard first went to Port Moresby, many months ago, he caused Territories residents great irritation by writing too confidently about conditions that he obviously did not understand.

But, of all the correspondents who went to that front, he has learned most quickly, and secured so good an understanding of a confusing and confused situation that his despatches are most enlightening and valuable. His comments follow; THE Australian soldier cannot be blamed for letting the Japanese across the range. It was not his fault.

He was asked to fight an enemy numerically superior and at the same time trained to the utmost in every method of cover-fighting. Visible and vulnerable himself—because of an insufficient development of camouflage—he had to fight an unseen enemy, a “phantom army” in the true sense of the term.

Seen by the Japanese because his uniform did not blend well enough with the background, the Australian soldier had to fight blind when attacked. He fired at noises, not at sight, saw Japanese snipers tumble from treetops, found others dead when he advanced. For him it was a nightmare war, a joust with shadows, a battle of the senses . . .

Most of the lessons learned in Malaya had been expounded to our men, many of our old fighting faults exposed. They were told that they were fighting men of high calibre, men tough enough to throw back a German advance.

But they found this war was different.

It was so eerie, so full of unseen menace that their desire “to get at the enemy and annihilate him” was checkmated by the jungle itself.

From that picture I think that these questions are permissible:— _ Knowing that we would have to fight the Japanese in the jungle, did we sufficiently train our men for the job? (2) With the object-lessons of the amazingly clever Japanese camouflage, did we dress our men so that they, too, would merge as closely with the jungle background? (3) Did we place too much confidence in our physical superiority and not enough in the development of cunning and tactics that would outmatch the Japanese at his game of infiltration? (4) Did we overload our soldiers with equipment so that he could not move so freely through the jungle as the Japanese? (5) Did we develop to the full the essential merit of small counter-infiltrating parties?

To-day’s history is answering those questions. If some are in the negative, I have sufficient faith in our military leaders in New Guinea to know that they will be rectified.

Lieut.-General Rowell is one of the most qualified and most adaptable leaders. Under him are young, keen, clever officers from the Middle East.

The deficit is not in leadership. It is not in cur men. If anywhere, it is in our almost nationally characteristic refusal to prepare fully for a coming event.

We have now to adapt ourselves to conditions which we should have understood all along.

Pessimistic as the news may seem, there is no need to lose faith nor to call for heads. Unfortunately, among some of our leaders there has been a marked tendency to cry down demands for an Army completely Commando-trained . . .

In the meantime, I feel confident that Port Moresby will be able to withstand and defeat any Japanese attack from the rear.

But the time will come when we must throw the Jap out of his jungle possessions and this can only happen when we have troops who are better than he in every conceivable phase of this strangest of all modern warfare.

The answer, I am convinced, lies not in isolated bands of Commandos but in a Commando army where every man knows the counter to every Japanese trick and manoeuvre.

Although we learned much from Malaya and Indies, we did not learn enough. We trained our troops in jungle warfare, but did not develop our tactics sufficiently to out-manoeuvre, outfight, and match with better cunning the ingenuity of the enemy.

Australia still has lessons to learn in the art of jungle fighting. The battle for New Guinea is far from lost—in fact, it has only just started, and the familiar cry, “Too little, too late,” can find no echo.

Miss Elsie Edgar, who was formerly with the Presbyterian Mission in the New Hebrides, is at present doing district nursing work in Adelaide. 41 Owen Stanley Range Battle (Continued from Page 8) PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1542

Membership of Pacific Territories Association Temporary office accommodation has been provided for the new body, and the address of the secretary now is: Mr. C. A. M. Adelskold, secretary of Pacific Territories Association, c/o Robert Gillespie Pty., Ltd., Royal Exchange Building, 54a Pitt Street, Sydney; or, briefly, Secretary, Pacific Territories Association, Box 137 CC, GPO, Sydney. The telephone number is BW 4782. Evacuees who require the services of the Association in any way, or who desire to become members, should communicate with him at that address.

Members are wanted. So are funds. The subscription is 15/- per quarter; but evacuees whose cash position is not what it was are asked to become members anyway, and contribute as much as they feel they can afford.

The secretary informs us that the following form could be used:—

Application For Membership

Secretary, Pacific Territories Association, Box 137 CC, GPO, Sydney.

Please enrol me as a. member of your Association.

Name (Mr., Mrs. or Miss) Present address Former Address in Territories Present occupation, if any Previous occupation, in Territories If you want employment In Australia send full particulars on an attached statement (which please sign) showing your age, qualifications, details of experience, and what class of work you would prefer.

If you want the assistance of the Association in any way, send full particulars on an attached statement (which please sign).

Amount of subscription forwarded herewith, or to be forwarded: Signature Date

Pacific Islands Society

Visitors from the Islands to Sydney (or those interested in Islands affairs), are advised to communicate with the honorary secretary of the above Society, which has been formed to study the history, traditions, economics, and political developments of the Pacific Islands.

Regular monthly meetings are held at History House, 8 Young Street, Sydney.

Address for Correspondence: THE PACIFIC ISLANDS SOCIETY, Box 2434 MM., G.P.0., Sydney.

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Solomons Magistrate Is

Kept Very Busy

MR. RAGNAR HYNE, who was legal adviser and Chief Magistrate in the Solomon Islands until the Japanese invasion early this year, is now acting as Resident Magistrate in Suva, and probably he has been busier in recent months than ever before in his official life.

In Fiji, at present, a number of extraordinary wartime laws are operating— especially one which places sharp restrictions upon the drinking of alcoholic liquor and the purchase of single bottles, and another which imposes a curfew, so that all persons—Europeans, Indians and Fijians—have to be home well before midnight. Both laws are being rigorously administered by the police, and the Magistrate is daily imposing fines for liquor offences and breaches of the curfew regulations.

Papuan Public Servants

]VT R '/ r ' BYRN J? and Mr ' A - M - Mi /°S lle .

Sydney, have n“pS P “o* with that Department. Mr. Byrne has been transferred to Canberra, and Mr. gone to a Victorian muniwons iactor y- Mr, A. E. Dettmann, also of the Papuan service, has joined the AIF, with the rank of lieutenant.

Mr. S. Smith and Mr. E. Washington are still attending to war damage affairs in the Territories Department in Sydnev.

NEW CHURCH AT LABASA, FIJI THE new church which has been built at the foot of the CSR Company’s residential hill, in Labasa, Vanua Levu, Fiji, was opened on July 26, and will be re-dedicated during the next visit of the Bishop.

Previous to May 25, two church buildings existed —both situated away from the centre of the district. The older building, known as All Saints’ Church, was dedicated by Bishop Twitchwell in 1918; the other, originally used by lady members of the staff as residential quarters, was latterly used for services in Hindi.

Demolition of the old buildings began on May 25, and the new church began to take shape under the direction of Mr.

B. Williams. Its appearance on the opening day was pleasing, but much remains to be done in the grounds. Mr.

H. B. Gibson has promised to give a lych gate. 42 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

Wartime Announcement

by Angus & Coote 500 George Street, Sydney.

To our Friends in the Southern Seas everywhere. We greatly regret the necessity to announce the suspension of our mail order service for some time. This means we cannot execute any more orders—possibly for the duration of the war.

We do this most reluctantly. Circumstances force it upon us.

The shortage of goods is extreme. Apart from present importing difficulties, Government restrictions absolutely prohibit the manufacture of jewellery, silverplate and many other goods.

The result is we cannot replace stocks as they become exhausted.

However, we can, of course, view these distressing circumstances from another, happier angle. Restrictions at this time mean more effort in winning the war, and a quicker return to the days of peace with its opportunities for us to serve you as before . . . Moreover, the restrictions still permit us to make Wedding Rings, Identification Discs, and to engage in repair work. Therefore, please still send us your orders for such goods, as well as your jewellery and old silverware for repairs.

With many thanks for your custom in the past, we remain, Yours faithfully, ANGUS & COOTE.

P.S.: We still buy Old Gold!

Vichy Lies Are

Hurled Back

Tahiti Has Plenty of Good Food TAHITI, July 25.

“/CHAGRINED minds, defeatists, propa- Vy gandists sold to the enemy are repeating, after the Franco- Japanese radio of Saigon, that an economic crisis is suffered at Tahiti, that certain essential products are lacking.

There is no crisis in Tahiti. Essential products are not lacking. One must say it loudly and be proud of it!”

These are the words of Governor Georges Orselli, the fiery Corsican, head of Free France’s island possessions in French Oceania. Spoken here and widely circulated on the island, it is believed his words were intended as a sharp rebuke to what he termed the “Franco-Japanese radio of Saigon,” which has been hurling invectives and Nazi propaganda nightly in this direction for several months.

“Never has Tahiti been so rich, never has so much money come in here,”

Orselli said. He quoted statistics showing that Tahiti and the Society Islands received three times as much money last year as in 1940. Many essential food products such as flour, canned meat, rice, sugar, canned milk, and butter were proportionately received in greater degree, he said.

Figures quoted on the importation and consumption of food items were taken as a direct assault on the Indo-China radio, which has been declaring with great repetition that Tahiti is slowly starving for lack of essential foods, that it should Join the “greater prosperity sphere” as Indo-China has, and have fat stomachs again!

“Think of France,” said Governor Orselli, “of Europe, of Japan, of Indo- China, for that matter, and compare them with your abundance. And if some defeatists put before you their sad plight, pray them to read the statistics of the Tahiti customs.”

The Governor cited figures showing that canned meat, one of Tahiti’s great deficiencies—according to the Saigon radio —was imported to the amount of 478 tons in 1941, as against 167 tons in 1940. Rice, another item often mentioned in the nightly Axis propaganda programme, was imported to the amount of 1,559 tons last year, as against 1,373 tons in 1940. Most of Tahiti’s rice formerly came from Burma.

“Of C9urse,” the Governor said, “we are receiving less wine, fewer cigarettes, less whisky, less of certain luxury products; but these are economies which permit an abundance of essential foods and the constitution of reserves for any future.

“Tahiti is rich, but this wealth is not equally distributed, and that is a problem for all time. Certain ones have too much, while others don’t have enough.

But our care will be that those who don’t have enough may have more, that a greater justice reigns, and in this task we will all help.”

Fighting French Report All Well RADIOS received by the families of some of the New Caledonian Volunteers, who were fighting in the Western Desert at the beginning of August, report that Rene Petre. Paul Dacoin Georges Cettia, Eugene Pene, Adelphe and Adrien de Geoffrey, Yves Boyer, and Louis Viratel are safe, after the heroic defence of Bir Hacheim by the Fighting- French.

Andre Petre was posted as missing.

Cordier Alexandre cabled that he and Louis Anger are convalescing at Beirut (Syria).

Berlin Radio claimed that the number of Fighting French captured at Bir Hacheim was nearly 2,000.

Makogai Leper

STATION MRS. C. J. Austin, wife of Dr. C. J.

Austin. OBE, medical superintendent of the Central Leper Station on Makogai Island (Fiji Group), has been visiting her daughter, who is at school in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, and she has given interesting data to NZ newspapers.

The hosnital at wac nnpnpH 1911, with 40 patients, most of them in the advanced stage of the disease, and therefore incurable. The majority of the 650 patients there at present are in the being released in frorn three tcf five° years* the Pe mse n ale UP ° n Ume teken t 0 alTest ~ a I- , • , sffiTF yS • h f ghest £’ lbut ! to *t ;he sisters, whose devotion to the sufferers is wonderful. Comforts, including toys for the children, are received from New Zealand, and talkies a T,r Sh °r. < £‘ he °. nce V eek tionpd nn d tm fH haVe fTo 11 sta “ tioned on Makogai for the past 12 years and m recognition of his work, the New°Year S blf ° BE in the laSt i\ew Year Honours list.

"New Guinea"

Apparent Changes in Names THERE is a marked and growing tendency, in recent semi-official references to the Australian Pacific Territories, to group Papua and New Guinea together as “British New Guinea.” This, probably, is a result of the stand taken by the existing military administration in treating both Territories as one.

The idea has milch to commend it.

Past references to “Papua,” when meaning the south-eastern section of New Guinea, and to “New Guinea” when only the north-eastern section (included in the Mandated Territory) was meant, have caused much confusion.

But, if a new system is planned, it should be officially announced and clearly understood. “New Guinea” then would mean the mainland of New Guinea; and the big islands of New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville (now officially part of New Guinea) could then stand under their own names.

Mr. H. H. Hickling, who has been Resident Agent at Mangaia in the Cook Islands for the last three years, left the island recently for Rarotonga. It is understood that he is on transfer to another position in the New Zealand Service.

A vessel which lifted Tahiti’s accumulation of copra, some time ago, took away also the remnants of the American colony-leaving there onlv half a dozen whose roots are so deeply embedded in Tahitian soil that they may be regarded as permanent residents. 43

Pacific Islands Monthly September, Ism 2

There is no substitute for San Francisco GILLESPIE’S The Flour TRADE MARK of the Islands - SYD NEY - Death of Captain Thomas V. Hill Well-known Pacific Shipmaster ONE of the best-known sea-captains in the Pacific, Captain Thomas V. Hill, died in Vancouver recently, at the age of 61. He served his apprenticeship in South Pacific sailing ships, and he was a member of the crew of the Government steamer trading in the Cook Islands, where he was a popular figure. He was in the barque Royal Tar when she was wrecked in the Hauraki Gulf in 1901.

Shortly after securing his second officer’s ticket, Captain Hill joined the Union Company and was appointed fourth officer of the Manuka in 1905. He was chief officer of the Moura in 1910, and was appointed to the command of the Komata five years later. Other vessels he commanded were the Karori, Atua, Navua, and the first Kurow and Waimarino. In the Pacific service, after 1923, Captain Hill commanded the Waikawa, Waitemata, Wairuna and Hauraki before being transferred to the passenger vessels Tahiti and Marama and the tanker Otokia.

Captain Hill was in command of the Niagara from 1927 to 1935, except for periods when he relieved in the Aorangi and the Monowai. On the retirement of Captain J. F. Spring-Brown, in 1936, he took over the command of the Aorangi and remained there until he was relieved last vear because of illness. With Mrs.

Hill he settled in Vancouver towards the end of last year. He is survived by his wife and a married daughter in Sydney.

On His Majesty's Service !

An "Ordinary Incident" of Fiji Travel IN these days of war—with its attendant daily record of heroic deeds at sea—the following story of a Fijian chief possibly loses some of its significance. Nevertheless, it is typical of the everyday life of these people—a life that went on for hundreds of years before Hitler and To jo appeared to plague this planet, and will continue long after they have gone the way of all their kind.

Jeremaia Bili, a village chief, left Mango for Vanuabalevu by out-rigger canoe; with him were two other men, three women, four children, their gear and a bag of His Majesty’s mail. Tho weather had been bad for some days and the wind was gusty. They beat to windward across a bad patch of water; and, half-way across, the sail split.

There was nothing for it but to run downwind to the nearest land —Kanacea, an island north of Mango. Here, they repaired the sail and waited a few days for the wind to die down.

On the third day, they set off again.

Towards evening, when they were off Dakuilomaloma, they were struck by a severe squall, and the canoe sank.

Bill ordered the women to swim for it, with their children, while he and the men attempted to salvage the mail and the gear. Eventually they all made the reef—Bili with the mail. There, he left them, to try to swim to land, to fetch a canoe in which to rescue them. This he managed to do, and he returned to the reef in the nick of time, as the tide had risen and his people were standing up to their necks in water, holding the children above their heads.

The children were put in the small canoe and the rest, supporting themselves around it. came to the shore just before dawn. Their bundles of clothes were gone—so also was a bag of sweet-potatoes. But the bag of Government mail was safe—although, Bili apologised. “I am afraid the letters are a bit wet.”

Yachtsman's Mysterious Disappearance MYSTERY surrounds the disappearance of Mr. Tom Myers, owner of the “Tern,” which was recently found beached at East Point, Mackay, Queensland, close to the river entrance, with all sails set.

A short time previously he left to take supplies, single-handed, to St. Bees Island caretaker and was sighted near there by the launch “Crescent.” All was well at that time, and that he landed provisions there was indicated by the fact that St. Bees’ mail was found on the beached vessel.

“Tommy” Myers was an accomplished yachtsman and an excellent swimmer, and his knowledge of the Barrier Reef and outlying islands was second to none.

His genial manner, and his readiness to take anyone tripping with him, made him many friends.

The “Tern” was a 27-ft. auxiliary craft, Marconi-rigged. He had built her himself and she was recognised as the best yacht of her size in Mackay.

Late Mrs. John Forster

MRS. J. Forster, last surviving member of an old Fiji family (Beddoes), died at the War Memorial Hospital in Suva, on August 7.

Mrs. Forster—then Miss Eleanor Storey Beddoes—married the late John Forster, for many years Agent-General for Immigration in Fiji, in 1871. and in the course of time seven children were born to them; Robert, Nadarivatu; Marion, now in the Education Department; Dorothy, until recently Sister-in-Charge, Waiyevo Hospital; Margaret Vera (Mrs.

H. J. S. Allen, of Suva); Winifred, of the Treasury Department; Lt.-Coloneh Frank C. Forster, of the FDF; Martha (Mrs.

H. F. Rodgers, of Suva).

Mrs. Forster took a keen interest in all women’s activities and was also interested in age prevented it, she was a regular attendant at Albert Park cricket matches during the season.

The “Tern.” 44 SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

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That Secret Radio Station An Incident of Outer Fiji

By Ga Ni Bulu

THE professor was worried. Deep, black lines were under his eyes. He had had nq restful sleep for several nights. His students were being neglected, because the Professor could not concentrate on his class.

He had listened, night after night, for a week, to what seemed to him to be Morse code messages going out from a secret station close to his school. Some nights it started sending at 10 p.m., other nights at 3 a.m.; but never a night had the spy missed sending out his code in long dots and still longer dashes —not an expert, but a very careful sender, who made sure his messages would be correctly received and read.

The secret station was close to his school. He had searched vainly during the days, but no sign could he find of a secret set.

There was nothing else to be done. He must call in the local ARP for assistance.

The local wireless operator was included, to take down the spy messages, as sent.

The ARP, the police and the wireless operator were all in position, duly posted around the Professor’s school. The night was a nasty one. It rained yards, not inches.

The night dragged on. The Professor explained that this was probably one of the 3 a.m. sending times. The troops were all alert. The mosquitoes attended to that. All the mosquitoes on the coast had been mobilised.

Dot—dot! What’s that? Yes, it’s the start of the sending. The position is clear: the spy is situated down on the flat.

The Professor and the officer in command decide to surround the position; to creep up on the spy and take him alive, if possible. But, at all costs, he must be taken, dead or alive.

The wireless operator is taking down the dots and very long dashes, but is puzzled by the tone of the set the spy is sending on. It is quite unlike any he has heard before. It must be foreign.

The signals are getting louder and louder as the troops draw closer to the sender. The circle is almost closed. The messages are stronger and still stronger.

They seem to be coming up out of the ground. The spy is underground!

The Professor gives the order to flash the torches on the enemy, and calls on him to surrender. Lights flash, and the enemy is captured alive.

He now reposes in a bottle o 2 spirit in the Professor’s academy—to wit, one large toad of the variety now so common in Fiji, the first and last he ever wants to see.

P-8-—This is a truthful statement of what actually occurred. No one can blame the Professor. These giant toads which were new to him —undoubtedly do utter a queer sort of croak—a kind of long dot-dash effect.

Mr. Lance Wilkinson, formerly a member of the mines staff at Misima, East- Papua, is now Leading-Aircraftman Wilkinson, and undergoing training for the RAAF.

Jewish Pacific Community

mHE only Jewish congregation in the X Pacific Islands is at Honolulu. Prior to the American annexation in 1898 (says Mr. A. M. Gurau, of Apia, in a paper read in Sydney, recently) there were 100 Jews settled in Hawaii, and a Jewish cemetery of a much earlier date existed.

The British Chief Rabbi Hertz, who visited Honolulu in 1921, commented on the fact that, outside of the naval base, there was little Jewish communal religious activity. However, the Aloha Jewish Centre was established in 1922 by the Jewish Welfare Board, on which occasion Princess David Kawanuakoa voluntarily loaned a Sefer Torah, which had been kept in her family as an heirloom.

Jewish artisans from the East, principally Harbin, came in 1925, and the Jewish population eventually rose to 300. Now there are a flourishing synagogue and school in Honolulu under the direction of a rabbi. Practical help has been given to Jewish refugees who have passed through that port in recent years. Many prominent army and navy officers who have served in Hawaii have been Jews.

E.R.

The General Secretary of the Methodist Overseas Mission in Sydney reports that, although negotiations for the return of some of their missionaries to Papua are still in progress, there seems to be little hope of their return until the present war situation in the near north is clearer.

N. Caledonian Coffee

From Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA, August 6.

OWING, to the better price now being obtained overseas for New Caledonian coffee, the bonus hitherto accorded to growers was cancelled as from August 1. Prices now obtainable at Noumea are, for good quality Arabica, 8.75 francs the kilo; and for Robusta, 7.20 francs the kilo. 45 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY SEPTEMBER, 1942

Call.

Wave Sign.

Time.

Length.

Frequency.

VLR8. 6.30-10.15 a.m. 25.51 metres 11,760 M/cs.

VLR3. 12.00-6.15 p.m. 25.25 metres 11,880 M/cs.

VLR. 6.45-11.30 p.m. 31.32 metres 9,580 M/cs.

Power ■; 2 kilowatts.

Buying.

Selling. £ s. d. £ s. d.

Telegraphic transfer . .. 110 15 0 112 0 0 On demand .. 110 12 6 111 17 6 Buying.

Selling. £ s. d. £ s. d.

Telegraphic transfer — £125 10 0 On Demand £122 18 9 125 7 6 30 days 122 8 9 125 2 6 60 days 121 18 9 124 17 6 90 days 121 8 9 124 12 6 120 days 120 18 9 — COPRA South Sea.

Plantation, Sun-dried Hot-air Dried, London to London Rabaul Price on— Per ton, c.i.f.

Per ton , c.i.f.

January 1, 1932 ,. .. £14 0 0 £14 15 0 June 17 .. £13 2 6 £13 5 0 December 16 .. .. £14 2 6 £14 5 0 January 6, 1933 .. £13 0 0 £13 12 6 June 30 .. £10 17 6 £11 0 0 December 1 .. £8 12 6 £9 0 0 January 5, 1934 .. £8 0 0 £8 7 6 June 15 £8 0 0 £8 12 6 December 28 .. .. £9 0 0 £9 12 6 January 4, 1935 .. £9 5 0 £10 5 0 June 7 .. £11 15 0 £12 7 6 December 6 .. .. .. £12 17 6 £14 0 0 South Sea Smoked to Genoa South Sea Sun-dried Plantation Hot-air Dried London and Marseilles. to London.

Rabaul.

Price on Per ton, c.i.f.

Per ton, c.i.f.

Per ton , c.i.f.

Jan. 3, ' 36 £13 2 6 £13 15 0 £14 0 0 Mar. 6 . , . £11 15 0 £12 15 0 £13 0 0 June 5 £11 10 0 £12 0 0 £12 17 0 Sept. 4 , £13 2 6 £13 10 0 £14 12 6 Dec. 4 £19 7 6 £19 7 6 £20 7 d Jan. 8, 37 £22 12 6 £22 12 6 £22 12 6 Mar. 5 £19 0 0 £19 5 0 £20 0 0 June 4 . £15 15 0 £15 12 6 £16 12 6 Sept. 3 £13 5 0 £13 5 0 £14 0 0 Dec. 3 £12 10 0 £12 12 6 £13 7 6 Jan. 7, 38 £12 12 6 £12 15 0 £13 12 6 Mar. 4 . £10 17 6 £11 0 0 £12 0 0 June 3 . £9 15 0 £9 15 0 £10 12 6 Sept. 2 . £9 10 0 £9 10 0 £10 10 0 Dec. 2 £9 5 0 £9 5 0 £10 2 6 Jan. 6, '39 £9 12 6 £9 15 0 £10 10 O Feb. 3 £9 10 0 £9 12 6 £10 10 0 Mar. 3 , £10 0 0 £10 2 6 £11 0 0 Apr. 6 £9 12 6 £9 15 0 £10 12 & May 5 . £10 0 0 £10 5 0 £11 0 o June 2 £10 7 6 £10 10 0 £11 7 6 July 7 £9 2 6 £9 7 6 £10 5 0 Aug. 4 . £9 2 6 £9 5 0 £10 5 0 Sept. 1 . £9 10 0 £9 12 6 £10 12 & ■ RUBBER Plantation London Para.

Smoked.

Price on— per lb. per lb.

January 6, 1933 . 4 3 Ad . 2.43d July 7 3.71d December 8 . . . 4%d . 4.0 %d January 5, 1934 . 4V 4 d . 4.28d July 6 5V 2 d . 7.06d December 28 .. . 5d . 6‘Ad January 4, 1935 . 5d . 6 3 /ad July 5 5d . 7 7 /ad December 6 .. . 6 3 Ad . 6%d January 3, 1936 . 6 3 Ad . 6%d June 5 9d . 7‘Ad December 4 .. . 9 l-16d January 8, 1937 . 1/2 . 10V 2 d June 4 lid . 9%d December 3 .. . 7V 2 d . 7y 2 d January 7, 1938 . 7 J Ad . 7d July 1 6 3 Ad . 7‘Ad December 2 .. . 7%d . 8d January 6, 1939 . 7d . sy 8 d July 7 sy 4 d December 1 .. . 12d ny 2 d January 5, 1940 . 13d . 11.6 7 /ad July 5 15d . 12 3 Ad December 6 .. .. 13d . 12d January 3, 1941 . 13d . 12.47 7 /ad February 7 .. .. 13d . 12.5 5 /ad March 7 15d . 13 5 /ad April 4 15d . 14y a d May 2 16V 2 d . 14.0 s /ad June 6 16V 2 d . 13.5 5 /ad July 4 17d . 13 7-16d August 1 17d . 13‘/ 2 d September 5 .. .

October 6 .. .. (No quote) 13 s /ad — .. 13 ll-16d October 10 —Price officially fixed at . 13 3 Ad c <D General Merchants and Agents

Representing Leading Firms In The Islands

379 KENT STREET, SYDNEY.

Telephones: MJ4657 (5 lines) Islands Produce Sold on Shippers' Account - Buyers of all Liberal Advances against Consignments. «on - Original Invoices Furnished. 25 Years’ Islands Trade Experience.

Bankers: Bank of New South Wales. Correspondence in English and French.

Australian Short Wave Broadcast AN Australian radio programme is broadcast daily on short wave from Lyndhurst (Victoria) for listeners in the Western Pacific: — Times given are Australian Eastern Standard Time (10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time).

WEEK DAYS.—a.m.: 6.30, Essential Services; 6.45, News; 7.15, Music; 7.45, News; 8.10, Music; 10, Devotional Service; 10.15, close, p.m.: 12, Music; 12.15; Essential Services; 12.30, News; 1, Music; 1.25, Stock Exchange Report; 1.30, News; 1.50, Music; 3.30, Talk; 4.15, BBC News; 5.30, Children’s Session; 6.15, Close; 6.45, Music; 7, News (Saturday, Summary of Sporting Results); 8, Evening Programme; 10, News; 10.20, Music; 11, BBC News; 11.30, Close.

SUNDAYS. —a.m.: 6.45, News; 7.05, Music; 9, Australian News; 9.15, AIF Recordings; 9.30, New Releases (Recorded); 10.15, Famous Singers; 10.45, Book Reviews: 11, Church Service, p.m.: 12.15, Recorded Music; 12.50, News; 1.05, Music; 2.30, Talk (Literature); 2.50, “Foundations of Music”; 3.45, Ballad Concert; 4.15, BBC News; 4.45, Music; 5.30, Children’s Session; 6.15, Close; 6.45, Music; 7, News: 7.30, Play; 8.30, Evening Programme; 9.30, Talk; 10, News; 11, Close.

Islands Produce

MOST lines are in short supply on the Sydney market. Government control has had a stabilising effect on prices generally, and there has been little change in last month’s ruling rates. The following nominal quotations were obtained in mid-September;— COCOA New Hebrides: Quote No. 1: £7O (in store, Sydney). Quote No. 2: £65 to £7O (c.i.f.).

Accra: £75 (in store, Sydney).

New Guinea cocoa beans: No quotations.

Western Samoa: Sales reported, Ist quality, £BO (f.0.b., Apia).

COFFEE No purchases are now permitted without the consent of the Tea and Coffee Control Board, to whom all offers must first be submitted.

Nominal quotations as follows: — New Caledonian: Arabica, £75 per ton (c.i.f.

Sydney). Robusta. £65 per ton (c.i.f. Sydney).

New Hebrides: Robusta, £5B to £65 per ton (c.i.f. Sydney).

Kenya and Mysore; £BO per ton (c.i.f. stg. and War Risk Insurance).

New Guinea and Papuan: No firm quotations available.

Java: No quotations.

Vanilla Beans

White Label; 31/6 per lb., C. & F., Sydney.

Green Label: .26/- per lb., C. & F.. Sydney.

KAPOK Indian kapok is being quoted for indent at lid. per lb. c.i.f. stg.

Market for Javanese kapok has been suspended.

COTTON New Caledonia: Quote No. 1: 9V2d. to lb. (c.i.f., Sydney). Quote No. 2: 9d. to lOVad. (c.i.f., Sydney).

Ivory Nuts

No firm quotations available.

Trochus Shell

Last sales in Sydney were as followsA” grade, £7O per ton; “B”, £69; “C”, £59.

RICE As a result of war conditions in the Far East, the market for Rangoon rice has been suspended.

Green Snail Shell

Recent sale of small parcel at £72 person.

Pearl Shell

Government-controlled price:— “B” Class, £2OO per ton. “C” Class, £l9O per ton. “D” Class, £135 per ton.

Exchange Rates THE following exchange quotations show the rates existing in Sydney in mid-June: — FIJI Through Bank of NSW and Bank of New Zealand;—Australia on Fiji on basis of £lOO Fiji: Buying, £Alll/2/6: selling, £AII3. Fiji- London on basis of £lOO London:—

Western Samoa

Through Bank of New Zealand:—Australia on Western Samoa on basis of £lOO Samoa: Buying, £ A9s’/12/6; selling, £AIOO/2/6. Samoa on London on basis of £lOO in London;—

New Guinea And Papua

Only nominal at present.

Free French Pacific Colonies

Since the collapse of France, London banks have suspended their quotations on Paris; therefore the French Pacific Colonial bank rates formerly furnished to the “PIM” by the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (Sydney) and the Bank of NSW (Sydney) are unavailable.

Most of the business between the Free French Colonies in the Pacific and Australia is being done in Australian currency; but there is in existence an unofficial, fluctuating rate of between 140 and 143.5 francs to the Australian £.

Market Quotations Sept. B.—Not quoted—outbreak of war.

Sept. 15 to 29.—Not quoted.

Oct. 6 . . £ll 15 0 [unquoted] £l2 15 0 Oct. 12. —Fixed price based on £l2/7/6 per ton, c.i.f., London, for plantation hot-air dried.

Jan. 8, 1940, to April 20, 1940. —Fixed price for plantation hot-air dried, £l3/5/- per ton, c.i.f., London.

April 20, 1940. —Fixed price for plantation hotair dried, £l2/17/6 per ton, c.i.f., London.

On February 18, 1942, Fiji and Tonga copra, Ist grade, was fixed at £lB per ton (Fijian), f.o.b.

Since April, 1942, unofficial quotations in Sydney have been around £24 (Aust.) per ton, c.i.f.. Sydney. 46

Pacific Islands Monthly September, 1 ? 4 2

Published by PACIFIC PUBLICATIONS PTY. LTD., Union House, 247 Ge°rge Street. Strelt^SydSe y BW «69K Pnnted In Australia by the Sydney and Melbourne Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd., 29 Alberta street, &yu ey. <. v

SEPTEMBER, 1942 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTHLY

* ' ■ jy .& ■■: »- Ji J* W ■•» ■H s » 5 .

V •';.' ... * . CLfr ■Mi . & * S ■: ;•> Travel by CARPENTER AIRLINES Full particulars from Macdonald, Hamilton Cr Co., or Howard Smith Ltd., Sydney.

W. R. CARPENTER & CO. LTD.

Merchants, Shipowners And Aircraft Operators

Agents for Australian, European and American Manufacturers, and Distributors of Every Description of Merchandise.

Buyers and Shippers of Copra, Trocas, and all Classes of Islands Produce. • AGENTS FOR : Ford Motor Company of Canada. Caterpillar Tractors, Dodge Brothers Inc.

T. G. & C. Bolinders (Engines). Electrolux Refrigerators. Westinghouse Electrical Co. etc., etc.

Branches throughout the Pacific Islands In London: W. R. Carpenter & Co. (London) Ltd,, Coronation House, 4 Lloyds Avenue, London, EC.

Head Office: 16 O’CONNELL STREET, SYDNEY

Pacific Islands Monthly September, Is' 42