Pacific Islands Monthly - 1 August 1950

E. G. Theodore Was Half

THE estate of the late Mr. E. G.

Theodore, head of the Emperor- Loloma gold companies, in Fiji, has been probated at £528,018. Australian death duties will take away £230,000 of this. The balance is mostly divided among members of his family. He made some special bequests, including £2,000 to his secretary, Miss A. M. Raine; £2,000 to Miss Cynthia Sutherland, of Suva; £3OO to Mrs. Isabelle Corry, of Suva; and £3OO to Miss Nellie Stuart, his housekeeper.

The son of Rumanian parents, he began life in Australia as an unskilled labourer; achieved fame before he was 40 as “Red Ted,” the Socialist Premier of Queens land; was Federal Treasurer and very nearly Prime Minister; and ended his life, at 65. as a great industrialist and one of the shrewdest politico-economists of his day.

At The Nukualofa Club,

Tonga

A GROUP of well-known Central- Pacific identities “snapped” on the steps of the Nukualofa Club, Nu kualofa, Tonga, in July. Left to right: Mr. Claude Israel (a director of Morris Hedstrom, Ltd., who recently retired

from the Sydney managership of MH, Ltd.), Mr. Charles Sullivan (head of C.

Sullivan Pty., Ltd., Islands merchants, of Sydney), Mr. J. B. Protheroe (mana ger at Nukualofa, Tonga, for Morris Hedstrom. Ltd,), Mr. Charlie Francis (Islands traveller for Gillespie Bros. Pty., Ltd.), Mr. Dougall Quensell (Nukualofa trader and storekeeper).

Photo: C. W. Mansell.

Lae Opposes Removal Of Otc

LAE, August 8.

RESIDENTS are taking immediate steps to protest strongly against the de cision of the Commonwealth authorities to close the Overseas Tele communications station here and to provide, in its place, a relay system, under the control of the Administration, and operating through Port Moresby or Rabaul. They say the new plan will cause delay and inefficiency and be a retrograde step.

The general manager of OTC (Major General J. E. S. Stevens), and Coastal Services Superintendent (Mr. H. Moore) have just made an extensive tour of the Territories, and have visited the OTC radio stations at Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Wewak, Kavieng and Rabaul.

The death occurred in Sydney on August 7 of Mr. Gordon Brodie, a brother of the well-known Mr. Malcolm Brodie, of Suva.

Editor of PIM to Visit SW

Pacific Territories

A NUMBER of matters connected with the distribution of the Pacific Islands Monthly will be dealt with by Mr. R. W. Robson, publisher of the journal, during a visit to the South west Pacific Territories in October. Mr.

Robson’s itinerary (subject to any alter ation of Qantas timetables) is as follows: PORT MORESBY.—Wednesday, Octo ber 4 —Saturday, October 7.

LAE.—Saturday, October 7—Tuesday, October 10, with visits to Wau, Bulolo and the Highlands.

RABAUL. —Wednesday, October 11 (by plane from Lae to Rabaul, calling en route, at Madang and Wewak) until Monday, October 16.

HONIARA. —Monday, October 16—Fri day, October 20.

New Hebrides And New Cale

DONIA. —Brief visit, according to availability of transport, between October 20 and 27.

Sharp Rise In Oil Search

THERE was a sudden rush on the shares of Oil Search Ltd., on the Australian Stock Exchange at the end of July.

Oil Search has about an 18 per cent, interest in the Australian Petroleum Co., which is conducting oil-boring operations in Papua.

AP is largely owned by Vacuum and Iranian Oil interests; and as the latter have already spent a huge sum in the search for oil in Papua, it is assumed that they will not abandon the effort while the slightest hope remains. For that reason shrewd investors think that Oil Search shares should be at least worth par (5/-) but in recent months they have drifted down to about 3 —probably the result of constant disappointments re ported from the bores in Papua.

The report got around in July that heavy orders for the purchase of Oil Search shares at 3/- or 4 - had been re ceived from the men on the boring opera tions in Papua, and a buying boom en sued. The price jumped to par—and someone somewhere apparently made quite a pretty cleanup. Meanwhile, bor ing operations proceed steadily in Papua and there has been no sensational de velopment.

Directors of Papuan Apinaipi Petro leum Co., Ltd., are seeking renewal of their permit, which expires on September 30. The permit covers a small area west of Port Moresby—really an island in the large area over which the Australian Petroleum Co. has boring rights. Apin aipai directors say they want another £600,000 to continue their boring pro gramme: but in view of threatened war time difficulties, their immediate plan is to spend about £8,500 (all their remaining funds) in keeping their leases in good order.

Mr. L. Costin, general sales manager of International Correspondence Schools (A/asia) Pty., Ltd., arrived in Suva from Sydney by air on August 15 and is stay ing at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, for four weeks. The purpose of his visit is to service existing ICS students and to enroll others; and also to confer with Fiji Government officials concerning "the introduction of new forms of education by correspondence, under which selected students will be sponsored by the Govern ment for enrolment in modem technical education courses.

Officials

Resented By French

Sydney Newspaper’s Comments

STATEMENTS made in articles by ti Sydney Morning Herald’s speco correspondent at the South Pack Conference in April-May apparently gm offence to the representatives of Franc In particular, the French resented ti following statements:— • That it was only for reasons of prei tige that France was represented in ti South Pacific Commission and offerr facilities for establishing Headquarters ; Noumea. • That France had caused embarratf ment by insisting upon the use of ti French language in connection with Coic mission and Conference affairs. • That the French Colonial systed does not find favour with many nativi and that France “exploited” her Coloniij The Senior Commissioner of Fran on the South Pacific Commission.

Lassalle-Sere—who also represents Frenn establishments in Oceania in the Sensi of France—submitted to the Herald.

June, a very carefully prepared compili tion, in which each of these maij charges, and a number of minor accusj tions, were answered—and answer* logically and effectively. The Herald 6 not publish any of this material—althour it had given the widest possible publics to the original articles.

Probably, the chief reason for ti Herald’s discourteous treatment of one < the principal officials of France in ti Pacific area is that M. Lassalle-Sen statement ran to about 2,500 words: ai modern journalism refuses to give much space to anything, except sensj tional fiction or comic strips. It wou< not have been difficult to summarise : Lassalle-Sere’s points in a few hundn. words—indeed, ordinary journalistic fa* ness seemed to demand this, at least—tf the Herald chose to wholly ignore ti Senator’s reply.

IN his statement. M. Lassalle-Sere it sisted that France is most loyal the whole idea of the South Pacii* Commission, to which she originally sui scribed: that it was not for reasons prestige that Prance sought the establish ment of SPC headquarters in Noumea, fcf in order to encourage residents of ti French Colonies to become interested and to support the ideals of the Core mission: that the French have gone much trouble and undertaken considel able expense in suitably housing ti Commission and its staff in Noumea: ae that, on the subject of language, ti original Convention accepted French an official language of the Commissioi on a level with English—and yet only* minute section of the Commission’s doo< ments have been translated into Freno M. Lassalle-Sere says: “The artiif which shocked me most is the one whei your reporter claims that the Frenn Colonial system does not find favour wh many natives.” The Senator quotes mac facts and figures to show that the i digenous people of the French Territon are on the happiest possible terms wh the French administrations, and that thl enjoy a degree of ever-increasing politid liberty, and freedom from exploitation which will compare favourably with co> ditions in any similar Territory in ti world.

M. Lassalle-Sere made all these point effectively, and with commendate moderation of language.

Advertisements & other items, p. 8 (1 item)

6

AUGUST, 1950 PACIFIC ISLANDS MON THL

Tax To Be Challenged

Territorians Resent an Australian Impost

STEPS are being taken to challenge, on the highest level, the decision of the Australian Commissioner of Taxa tion that Territorians must pay Income Tax on War Damage Compensation in- In very many cases, some time elapsed between the allocation of compensation and actual receipt of the money by the owner. The WD Commission paid interest on the sum during that period. Because the Fund was held in Australia, and in terest was paid there, the Tax Commis sioner demands a share of it.

Territorians point out that compensa tion took the place of their properties (which normally earned them a non taxable income in Papua-New Guinea); that in most cases the compensation was reinvested in the Territories as soon as it was available; and that, pending re investment, they were entitled to regard its earnings (interest) as non-taxable income.

Some resentful Territorians appealed to Mr. Spender (Minister for Territories) and he in turn appealed to the Australian Treasurer (Mr. Fadden). Mr. Fadden has replied that, although he took the matter up with the Taxation Commissioner, the latter still insists that the payments are taxable; and he (Mr, Fadden) has now no power to. intervene. He suggests that persons concerned should appeal direct to a Taxation Appeals Board.

It is considered that the case calls for the strongest possible action—probably an appeal both to the Australian Cabinet, and the Australian Courts. Persons who are prepared to join in such a protest are invited to get in touch with any one of the following, with a view to arranging a general meeting to appoint a com mittee to raise funds and take action without delay— Mr. R. A. Laws, Robert Gillespie Pty., Ltd., 54a Pitt Street, Sydney (BW 4782).

Mr. Norman Nelson, Nelson & Robert son Ltd., 12 Spring Street, Sydney (BU 5461).

Mr. R. W. Robson, Pacific Publications Pty., Ltd., 247 George Street, Sydney (BW 5037).

Missing Vessel Found

Safe

TAHITI, August 4.

THE Tahitian Government-owned yacht, Nuuhiva, (yawl-rigged, of 15 tons, and formerly the American yacht, Mana Nahra) has been found anchored in the lagoon of Bellinghausen Island (between Tahiti and the Northern Cooks). She left Papeete on May 10, for the Marquesas Islands, where she was to carry on a service, and has since been posted missing.

She is being towed from Bellinghausen to Uturoa, in Raiatea, All on board are well.

Schooner Wrecked

Messrs, mervin brothers were advised on July 19 that their 200tons trading schooner, Benicia, had been wrecked in a gale on the reef north east of the island of Rangiroa. No lives were lost.

Joeli Ravai, of Fiji, who has gone to the United Kingdom as a guest of the British Council, has reached London. He was met on arrival by Ratu Mara, who is at Oxford University, and by Mr. G. K.

Roth, who is on leave in the United King dom.

Under-Sec. and Planters

Late News: Under-Sec. and Planters In Profitable Meeting

Rabaul, Aug. 10.

BY singular good fortune, the visit of Mr. John Howse (Under-Secretary for Territories) coincided with the second annual meeting of the Planters’

Association; and the Planters’ president (Mr. Don Barrett) arranged a number of important and helpful talks.

Mr. Howse said that committees, on which planters would be represented, were being set up to deal with the price of copra and the Stabilisation Fund.

Mr. Barrett told the Under-Secretary that the Association, in view of the num ber of “controls” did not think it was practicable to abolish the PCB and im mediately to hand copra sales and ship ment over to private enterprise. Some body with over-all authority would have to function while the British copra con tract operated.

Mr. Howse said that, although the Government wanted private enterprise to run the shipping, it recognised that the Directorate of Shipping must function until private enterprise provided some thing more efficient.

Mr. Howse promised to study a strong case presented by the Association against the proposed 18 months’ contract for native labour. The planters urged a mini mum period of two years.

The Association complained of serious pests affecting coconuts and cocoa in the Gazelle Peninsula area, and inefficiency on the part of Agriculture Department officials: and Mr. Howse undertook to examine the situation.

Mr. C. B. Bailey has been appointed a member of the Fiji Copra Board during the absence from the Colony of Mr. W.

G. Johnson.

Indonesia

Fighting In

Fate of Western New Guinea

THE Commission of three Dutchmen and three Indonesians, set up Jointly by Holland and Indonesia to report on the future administration of Dutch New Guinea—the status of which must be decided before December 31—has sub mitted a report. Actually, there are two reports—one by the Dutch, insisting that Western New Guinea shall remain Dutch, and one by the Indonesians, demanding its transfer to Indonesia.

We are back precisely where we were before the Commission was set up. Wes tern New Guinea remains under Dutch occupation: but the Indonesians continue with clamorous demands for its posses sion.

Meanwhile, the ambition of the power drunk Javanese (the original “Republic”) to dominate the whole of the Federation called “the Republic of the United States of Indonesia” is being resisted by some of the non-Javanese States. A bitter war is in progress in the Molucca archipelago between troops of the Javanese “Repub lic” and Eastern Indonesians (Macassar, etc.) who are apparently supported by the Dutch. Although these operations are in progress only a few hundred miles from New Guinea, little has been heard of them.

A coup d’etat in Western New Guinea by the Indonesians is thought to be quite likely. In that event, fighting will almost certainly start in Western New Guinea between Indonesians and Dutch—and, this time, it seems possible that Australia will go in on the side of the Dutch.

Mr. Adrian C. Mayer, Research Scholar of the Australian National University, accompanied by his wife, left Sydney in July for Fiji, where he will do a year’s work. He is especially interested in the Indian problem in Fiji.

Gift to Fijian Education

THIS photograph of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, with Sir Henry and Lady Scott, was taken on July 19 on the occasion of the foundation stone of the new Queen Victoria School being laid. The magnificent site of the new school, at Matava tucou, Tailevu, 205 acres in all, was given by Sir Henry Scott. The building, which will cost £lOO,OOO, will be paid for from the Colonial De velopment Fund.

The school was founded in 1907, but the school buildings at Nasinu, near Suva, were taken over by US forces in 1942 and the school has been conducted in temporary pre mises ever since. There will be accommodation for 180 Fijian secondary schoolboys in the new building when it is completed.

Shocking Crime

Arthur Brander

Murdered

In Tahiti

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, July 20.

ONE of Tahiti’s best known and most highly respected citizens, Mr. Arthur Brander, 87, was murdered on July 2, by Tahitian thieves.

Two young Tahitians, intent on theft, crept into his home at Hamuta, near Papeete. The old man challenged them, and was savagely attacked. He died in the Colonial Hospital, a few hours later, from knife wounds.

Prompt action by M. Pascault, chief of detectives, effected arrest of the mis creants. They were identified by a

neighbour at whose house they had called on their way to the crime, and where they borrowed a kitchen knife Knowing that their intended victim would be in possession of a sum of money that day, they broke into his home.

Arthur brander, one of four brothers (John, Norman and Win nie were the other three), was born in Papeete in 1863. He was of British nationality through his father (who was born in Elgin, Scotland, in 1817) and his mother was Tetuanuireiaito Salmon, sis ter of Queen Marautaaroa. He, therefore, was a nephew of Pomare V, last king of Tahiti.

At eight years of age, Arthur was sent in his father’s sailing ship around the Horn, with two brothers, to England. He remained in Great Britain for 15 years, and was educated at St. Andrew’s Uni versity, in Scotland. After that he travelled extensively in Europe, North and South America, and elsewhere. At one time he resided on Easter Island —his father owned large interests in the Easter Island sheep ranch. Later, he became secretary to Mr. Arundel, one of the pioneers of the phosphate industry on Makatea, During the visit of the Duke of Edin burgh to Tahiti, many years ago, the Brander family entertained that dis tinguished Prince on so lavish a scale

that, in 1897, the Duke invited Arthur Brander to be present with him at the celebrations in London in commemora tion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

In 1915, Mr. Brander visited Honolulu in the Valkyrie, and 'afterwards pro ceeded in the same vessel to Vladivostock, and journeyed thence overland to St.

Petersburg, then in a state of revolution.

He lived in Japan some years, and be came so enamoured of that country that he resolved to spend his life there. But a longing for his native land finally took him back to Tahiti.

In Papeete, Mr. Brander established himself as a commission agent and ex porter; and, in connection with that busi ness, interests in San Francisco induced him to become an American citizen.

During the last few years, although still active and enjoying good health, he gradually withdrew from affairs, and re tired to the seclusion of his home in Hamuta. Here, in the environs of Pa peete, visited by his many friends, he enjoyed, with his memories, the tran quillity and happiness that come to one who can survey in retrospect the event ful and pleasing vista of nearly ninety years. It was a cruel end to a happy and useful life.

Of Arthur Brander it may be said, in Chaucer’s words: “In all his lyf, he was a varry parfit gentil knight.”

Mr. Arthur Brander.

managing director"

Isreal And Sullivan In

New Fiji Co.

THE firm of C. Sullivan (Pacific Islands')

Ltd., general traders and agents for wholesale distributors, was registered in Fiji last month. The principals are Mr. Charles Sullivan, head of the well known Sydney firm of C. Sullivan Limited, and Mr. Claude Israel, well known Fiji merchant, who recently retired from the Sydney managership of Morris Hedstrom Ltd. The new company al ready has opened offices in the building

managing director"

Messrs. Sullivan and Israel are so well known in the Australian-Pacific Islands trade that the new company should do very well. During July, both gentlemen visited Western Samoa and Tonga and renewed many old friendships.

Taxation Uncertainty

In Papua

And New Guinea

THE Pacific Islands Monthly has asbtc the Australian Department of Taxi tion if it will, for the guidance € persons resident or interested in Papa and New Guinea, give a ruling in respiq of the following points:— (1) A resident of Papua-New Guineas: understood to be free from liability to pj Australian income tax. What is the o finition of a “resident of Papua-NM Guinea?” How much time may a persce customarily residing in Papua-NH Guinea, spend in Australia before losiie his status as a resident of the Ten* tories? (2) From the Taxation Commission©! viewpoint, is there any difference in ti status of a resident of Papua (old Ail tralian Territory) and New Guinea (Tm tee Territory)? (3) Is a person permanently Australia liable to pay taxation on an i come derived wholly from a property \ business owned by him in New Guinea s Papua? (4) If a permanent resident of Papq or New Guinea sells his produce direco' in Australia, is the part of his incoic thus derived from Australia liable 1 Australian income tax?

A good deal of uncertainty exists i regard to Australian taxation generals especially regarding questions (3) and 0

Bulolo Dredging Returns

PRODUCTION of Bulolo Gold ing Ltd., in the 12 months ended MI 31 last, compared with the previoi year, was as follows:—

Value per yard .. 18.35 c 23.7 The first phase of the salvage of M 5 dredge, that of laying the dredge its side, was successful. Examination, far, indicates that structural damage m not as extensive as expected.

1950 1949 Yardage Dredged 13,614,940 10,865,0, Oz., Fine Gold .. 71,395 73,7.

At $35 US per oz. $2,498,825 $2,582.6

Un Trusteeship Mission In Samoa

The United Nations Trusteeship Council party visited Western Samoa in July. At left: Mr. V.

Carpio, of the Philippines, the NZ High Commissioner, Mr. G. R. Powles. and Sir Alan Burns, of [?] UK, are shown at a function at Mulinu’u. At right: Mrs. Fa’amu Mataafa, mother of the pres[?] High Chief Mataafa. at a reception to the UN party.

Advertisements & other items, p. 10 (1 item)

8

AUGUST, 1950 PACIFIC ISLANDS MONTH LJ

Virulent Polio In East Papua

American Journalist Dies in Peculiar Circumstances

THE outbreak of severe Poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis), in Eastern Papua late in July, and the develop ment of circumstances not yet explained, caused the death on Sunday, August 6, of Mr. Clifford Kruse, a young American journalist who was on a visit to the Trobriand Islands.

Mr. Kruse was about 30 years old. He had held the rank of captain in the air arm of the United States Marines during the war in the Pacific, and he was per sonal pilot to a high-ranking officer. He had flown extensively over most of the battlefields, from the Solomons to Japan.

After the war, he adopted journalism and, as a casual writer, he wandered exten sively in French Oceania, especially the Marquesas. He wrote a number of articles for the PlM—some are not yet published.

Mr. Kruse arrived in Sydney early in 1950, and visited many out-of-the-way parts of Australia. Then he decided, while en route to Indonesia, to have a look at the archipelagoes eastward of Papua.

On August 3 the PIM received the following radiogram from him, dated Losuia (Trobriands) on the 2nd;— “I urgently need help. I am being detained here against my wishes because there is a polio quarantine in the Trobriand Islands.

“I departed from Samarai for Kitava (one of the Trobriand Islands) in a Government trawler before this quarantine was effected. En route, we anchored off the shore of Kiriwina (another of the Trobriand Islands). I was ordered to disembark by a . . . . medical official. I was refused permission to remain aboard and return to Samarai by reason of the quarantine.

“I am being treated like a criminal. I am in perfect health and I am isolating myself from exposure to polio. Hotel accommodation and eating facilities are not available to transients here. I am subject to possible detention here for six months unless officially released.

“I am anticipating that I shall be recalled to active duty with the Marine Corps in Korea.

“Please contact the United States Consul the Australian Minister, the New Guinea Adminis trator, the New Guinea Director of Health, and anyone else who can help, and urgently request permission for me to return to Sydney by first Catalina or ship.—CLIFFORD KRUSE,

Losuia.”

The PIM immediately placed a copy of this message in the hands of the Minis ter for Australian Territories, Mr. Spen der; and on August 4 we radio’d to Mr.

Kruse that the Minister had taken the matter up with the Administrator, and with Mr. Halligan, secretary of the De partment.

Next day, on August 5, Mr. Halligan was advised that Mr. Kruse was seriously ill.

On Sunday, August 6, he was informed that Mr. Kruse died at Losuia at 1.40 am. on that day (Sunday).

The news caused consternation among Administration officials, who had already been making arrangements to take Mr.

Kruse off the island. A medical man was sent immediately in a seaplane to try and ascertain exactly the cause of death. . It is understood that an inquiry is be mg made into the circumstances under Which Mr. Kruse was detained in Losuia.

22 Cases And 4 Native Deaths

Reported

THE flare-up of Poliomyelitis in the

Trobriand Islands and in Misima was sudden and alarming. The Adminis h?i or v, reported earl y in August that there nad been 22 cases reported among the natives (16 at Losuia), four of whom had

died. Three of the deaths were on Misima.

In a Gazette issued on July 31 both areas were proclaimed infected areas, and became subject to strict quarantine.

The Administrator said that the epi demic was being investigated by Dr.

Smythe, and the Assistant Director of Health (Dr. May) was then in the area with the medical vessel, Hekeha, which was equipped with an artificial lung; and extra medical supplies were sent to Losuia by Catalina on July 30.

It was hoped, early in August, that the original explosive epidemic had burned out, for no new cases had been reported.

All the usual precautions were being taken.

Easter Island

Air Route

P. G. Taylor on a Survey Flight

IN another enterprise, calculated to es tablish another Trans-Pacific air route, Captain P. J. Taylor will leave Sydney next month, for Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tahiti. He hopes to show that there is a practicable air route across the South Pacific between Australia and Chile, South America.

The Australian Government will pro vide Captain Taylor with an RAAF Cata lina, which he already has tested. His crew of six men has not yet been chosen.

Captain Taylor plans to make use of Easter Island, between French Oceania and Chile, as a stopping place, but the rest of the route is subject to survey.

There are no islands between Easter and the South American coast, a distance of 3,000 miles.

In 1945, in a flying-boat, Captain Tay lor surveyed the Trans-Pacific route.

Central America-Clipperton-Galapagos

French Oceania, and thence westwards via Fiji. This time, he is seeking a more southerly track between the Ameri cas and French Oceania.

Later, Captain Taylor surveyed the Trans-Indian Ocean route, via Cocos Island and Madagascar, between Aus tralia and Africa, which would be used by Australia for communication with Europe, if Southwest Asia were closed against her.

“Bill” Taylor is held in high regard in Sydney, where he was a distinguished associate of Kingsford Smith. He is a director of Trans-Oceanic Airways.

40 Migrant Doctors At Work

In New Guinea

THE administrator of Papua-New Guinea, Colonel J. K. Murray, who made a quick visit to Australia early in August, told a reporter that almost 40 of the Territory’s 50 doctors were post war refugees from Europe. Many had been famous surgeons and specialists in their own countries. The doctors had been selected from 120 who had ap plied for the positions.

They were settling down very well, and learned English rapidly.

Mr. Bruce Jones, of Honiara, BSI, was in Inverell, NSW, on leave in August.

Mr. Gatty Retires

From Tuna Fishery

Prom Our Own Correspondent M__ SUVA, July 10 R HAROLD GATTY has retired from the posts of chairman and . managing-director of South Seas Marine Products, Ltd., and president of the associated company, Island Packers, Ho announcement about the future of la^?f; SCa l e fis t ei T, organisation, which ? att Z has smlt5 mlt U P in Fiji since 1945, has been made, and when Mr. Gatty was presented with a farewell address y J? e^ ei ? P i2 ye ! s ifc cont ained the state ment that the testimonial was presented with the knowledge that the future of time 7 ” 0116 of u s is in the balance at this Gilt-printed on tapa, the address paid a tribute to Mr. Gatty’s gift for organi st 1 ?, 11 and hl l- capacity for inspiring loyalty among his employees of various races, in Fiji. He would be remembered, it said, as a man who had successfully d ° ne h. ls utmost to raise the wage-levels of Fijian and other workers in the Colony and who had established new standards of employer-employee rela tionships.

The address was presented with a gold inscribed tortoiseshell cigarette case \Vhen acknowiedging the presentation, Mr. Gatty indicated that he intended to make his home in Fiji permanently.

Fiji Governor

Ill

THE Governor of Fiji, Sir Brian Free ston, was admitted to hospital, Suva, at the end of July, suf fering from a mild form of diphtheria.

He is responding well to treatment and will probably resume the administration of Fiji and the Western Pacific High

Commission shortly.

The Colonial Secretary (Mr. A. F. R.

Stoddart) was sworn in as Officer Ad ministering the Government of Fiji Mr. P. H. Nightingale acted as Colonial Secretary in addition to acting as Fi nancial Secretary.

QEA Survey Flights

in Fiji

THE Qantas Empire Airways Catalina, which is to make survey flights in Fiji preparatory to the Company operating internal air services for a six months experimental period, arrived at Suva on July 24, and began the survey two days later.

The places included in the itinerary are Levuka, Kadavu, Nadi, Lautoka, Savu savu, Labasa, Dreketi, Buca Bay, Tave uni, Lomaloma and Lakeba. Later it visited Tonga, Cook Is. and Tahiti.

Captain W. H. Crowther directed the survey, and Captain H. Birch commanded the aircraft.

Mr. Charles McPhee, of Western Samoa, who is steadily acquiring fame as a Paci fic Islands painter, reports that Miss Johnny Frisbie, of Rarotonga, daughter of the late Robert Dean Frisbie, has now gone to reside in Honolulu. The Ameri can author, Mr. James Norman Hall, is helping Miss Frisbie in her ambition to follow her father’s footsteps and develop as an author. Mr. McPhee. by the way, has succeeded lately in selling a num ber of his Samoan paintings at satis factory prices. The New Zealand High Commissioner in Samoa (Mr. G. R.

Powles) has taken a keen interest in Mr. McPhee’s work.

The Month In Moresby

pp. 12-103

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby, Aug. 5.

■DEVISED customs tariffs aimed at IV lowering living costs have come into force in Papua and New Guinea.

Clothing and all foodstuffs are now duty free, and duty has been lifted from other items such as bedding, carpets and floor coverings.

In Papua the effect is that clothing prices will drop by about 11 per cent.; there will be a similar drop in prices of tinned fish, tinned milk and cream, pickles, dripping, etc., and butter, tea, coffee and cocoa will cost 2d. a lb. less.

Toilet soap will be 10 per cent, cheaper.

The only clothing now dutiable is silk goods on which the duty has risen from 10 to 15 per cent.

In compensation, increased duty on beer will raise the price by 3d. a bottle and spirits will cost 2 - a bottle more.

Duty on cigarettes has jumped 100 per cent.-from 10/6 a lb. to 21/—representmg a price increase of 1/4 on a tin of 50. A 2 oz. tin of tobacco will now cost lOd. more. Duty on jewellery has risen 15 per cent, and machinery, formerly duty free, now carries a 10 per cent, duty —the least satisfactory tariff change as far as local firms are concerned.

Full effect of the new tariffs has not yet been felt as the tariffs have so far applied to only one shipment from Australia. :: ;: :: DESIGNING of a new residential area between the Four and Five Mile at Port Moresby is now under way.

The area is on the right hand side of the road when travelling towards Rouna.

As well as residential sites, the plan provides for 10 or 12 shops, a school and a recreation ground. A contour survey of the area has been made but the blocks have yet to be sub-divided.

The shortage of surveyors is delaying this work. Another project which the Administration is working on is the demolition of a number of native shacks at Koki. During his visit here Mr.

Spender described the shacks as a blot on the landscape and ordered them to be removed. Shacks to be demolished are those that were built on Crown land.

Buildings on native-owned land will not be touched. Natives whose homes are pulled down will be accommodated in houses built by the Administration on the salt pans near the golf course. The houses will be similar to those being erected at Hanuabada but, unlike the Hanuabadans, the Koki people will probably have to pay rent for their new homes. it is estimated that 100 Koki natives will be affected. Twenty-five new houses win be built for them in the first stage 0 f the project. Mr. Spender wants the project completed within a year. ‘ •• ■■ a™ J%/lORESBY S hre-hghtmg equipment I*l must be modernised at an early date if the authorities wish to avert catastrophe, said the Coroner (Mr. B. w. Faithorn), in his report on the Kila Police Depot fire. Mr. Faithorn said there was an ever-increasing danger of a large-scale fire in Port Moresby. The fire brigade was doing a splendid job

but was hampered by the lack of modK ern equipment.

The Coroner found that the fire whicDi destroyed a fuel storage shed at Kila 03 June 17 was caused by kerosene furrier coming into contact with a lighted huir icane lamp. Two native policemen were pouring kerosene into the lamp at tkl; time. Mr. Faithorn said the fire rei yealed “a lamentable disregard of til: elementary precautions to be taken fol the safeguarding of life and The fuel store containing highly inflann mable products, had been placed in tlf; midst of a crowd of administration builo. ings. Open fuel drums were in thd same shed as unopened supplies.

Portable stirrup pumps to fight fire has. proved defective, suggesting that ther had not been tested for a long time. “I‘ this neglect,” said the Coroner, “the OII< Kila Depot must accept a degree ♦ blame.”

Mr. Faithorn said that the fire brigaoj was equipped with one bush fire-fighn ing outfit, a water tank with a capaciti of only 200 gallons, and hoses fitted with water sprays which were “entirely ine:e fective” when dealing with oil and petra fires. The Coroner said that if po:o sible the fire engine should be fitted with foam-making pipes so that eitlur water or foam can be sprayed.

ROBERT CANN, of DCA, had behave abnormally on the night before M disappeared, witnesses said at tHd inquest into Gann’s death. (Gann’s bodb naked except for a pair of sandsho©< was found floating in Port Moresby Haii hour near Ibubada on June 23. He hsj been missing since the morning of Jum 19). Assistant Sub-Inspectors Harbeoe and Dutton told the Coroner (Mr. I

(Continued on Page 101.)

W. Faithorn) that when they answered a call to DCA mess about 4 am on June 19 they found Cann pacing up and down.

Asked what the trouble was, Cann said, “I suffer from loss of memory and they re ganging up on me.” Then he said, “We are being watched,” and “I’ve got Bill Blunt on my mind.” (Blunt, another DCA man, was killed in a fall at Rouna).

Dutton said he believed Cann was suf fering from the effects of heavy drink ing.

The Coroner’s verdict was death by drowning. There was no evidence of foul play.

A PAPUA-NEW GUINEA Division of the Ex-Navalmen’s Association has been formed. Moresby is the head branch and sub-branches are to be formed in other parts of the Territory.

Twenty-two attended the inaugural meeting at Moresby and membership has already reached 35. The branch hopes to get land for a clubhouse and members of the Naval Reserve are planning to continue their training here. Officers of the branch are: Mr. N. Plant (President), H. A. Triggs and W. R. Frame (Vice- Presidents), J. H. Gillman (secretary), Miss S. M. Webb (assistant secretary), C. McEachern, F. C. Hill and J. P. Wal ton (committeemen), THERE is no reason to believe that any epidemic disease has been conveyed by Moresby’s water supply but, as a safety measure, water for drinking should always be boiled. Director of Health, Dr. Gunther, said this at a re cent Advisory Council meeting. Dr. Gun ther said the water supply is safe for human consumption while bottled chlor ine is available, but, due to shipping dif ficulties, the chlorine is not always available.

ASSISTANT Director of Native Labour, Mr. John McKenna, appeared in the Moresby Court of Petty Sessions re cently, charged with assaulting a native.

He was convicted but Magistrate B. W.

Faithorn discharged him without im posing a penalty. McKenna was al leged to have hit a native labourer, Mai

Sarufa, on the main wharf on June 19.

According to police, Mai Sarufa was talking to another native when McKenna approached, and, without speaking, punched Mai on the face. McKenna pleaded guilty but said he only hit Mai with his open hand. He told Mai to get on with his work and Mai had sworn at

South Pacific Conference Delegates

p. 12

Front row (left to right): Markus Kasiepo (Dutch New Guinea); Ratu Ed ward Cakobau (Fiji); Albert Henry (Cook Islands); Prince Tuipelehake (Tonga); Makea Nui Teremoana Ariki (Cook Islands); High Chief Malietoa (Western Samoa); Prince Tungi (Tonga); High Chief Tamasese (Western Samoa); High Chief Tufele (American Samoa); Joele Ravai (Fiji); Waiau Ahnon (New Guinea); Hon. M. S. Buksh (Fiji); M.

Lucien Vayssiere (French Oceania); M.

Paul Berniere (French Oceania).

Middle row (left to right): Penitala Teo (Ellice Islands); Jacob Dagabwi naesi (Nauru); Raymond Gadabu (Nauru); Hon Vishnu Deo (Fiji); High Chief Tuitele (American Samoa); Faipule Anapu (Western Samoa); Hon. Tualau lelei (Western Samoa); Willie Gavera (Papua); Robert Rex (Cook Islands); J.

Lameko, BEM; Miria Gavera (Papua) ; Kamona Walo (New Guinea); Bondai Pita (Papua); Mr. I, G. Turbott (Gil bert Islands).

Back row (left to right): Gira (Sole mon Islands); Belade (Solomon Islands!: Petero (New Hebrides); John Kalsakrf (New Hebrides); Aisa Gu’u (Papua); Rafael Bouanani (New Caledonia); HiO Talking Chief Tuiasopopo (America Samoa); George Kassi (New Guineas losili Salin (New Guinea); M. Maou Dj«t (New Caledonia); Rongamatane An (Cook Islands); Ainoa Kalapu (Westej Samoa).

This group photograph, taken in an interval during the first South Pacific Conference, held in Suva at the end of Apr[?] last, shows most of the delegates who attended. Names of delegates in the group are.

Salaries Fixed

Public Service Classification in Papua-New Guinea

THE long-awaited classification of the Public Service of Papua and New Guinea was published in the official Gazette in Port Moresby on July 14.

It covers 11 Departments, a number of which have branches. The Treasury, for example, has three branches —Stores and Transport, Printing, and Posts and Tele communications. The Government Sec retary has five branches—Central Administration, Administrator’s Personal Staff, Public Service, Native Labour and Police and Prisons.

All amounts given hereunder are in Aus tralian currency.

More than 350 positions have been clas sified. Salaries for heads of Departments range between £l,OOO and £1,500 per an num, while heads of branches get from around £650 to £l,OOO. Specialists and professional men range between £6OO and £1,000; clerks from about £350 to £6OO.

District Officers range from £650 to £1,000; ADO’s between 600 and £650; patrol officers from £3OO to £600; medical assis tants from £330 to £625.

In addition, all persons in this public service receive a Cost-of-Living allowance ranging from £6B p.a. for unmarried minors to £136 for married persons; and they also receive a Territorial allowance ranging from £l5O p.a. for unmarried offi cers to £175 for married male officers. In other words, a sum of about £3OO per annum is added to all salaries fixed for the classified positions. Were it not for that, the salaries could be described as niggardly, With the two allowances added, they are regarded as generally atceptable.

On Australian mainland standards, the total incomes may seem high; but it has to be remembered that the cost of living in the Territories is very high, and is in creasing even more rapidly than on the mainland.

Working Hours May be Increased

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Port Moresby Aug. 5.

THE working hours of Administration officers may be increased from the standard 34 a week to 369. It is understood that the Public Service Com missioner (Mr. E. A. Head) has recom mended this to the External Territories Department. . The increased hours may be embodied in the new Public Service regulations, now awaiting the Minister’s final approval.

The classification and accompanying regulations are aimed at bringing condi tions in the Territory Public Service into line with the Commonwealth Public Service. In many ways this policy will benefit local public servants but a longer working week is one of the disadvantages which may result from the policy.

Those who support the increase point put that Commonwealth Departments in the Territory already work 369 hours over a five-days week.

The Public Service Association, how ever, while in favour of a five-days week, strongly objects to longer hours. It says that Administration hours cannot be com pared with those of Commonwealth De partments in Australia. Commonwealth employees usually came to the Territory [or only two years, whereas Administra tion officers usually came for a lifetime pi service. Administration officers, there i°re had to endure the strain of tropical conditions much longer; and, for medical reasons, it would be unwise for them to Tru more hours than at present.

The Public Service Association says it

will take no action on the new classifica tion until it has been put into effect and the new regulations have been received.

A spokesman for the Association said yesterday that there appeared to be a number of anomalies in the classification but it was necessary to examine the regu lations before the position became clear.

A quarterly news bulletin is now being issued by the Public Service Association to keep members fully informed on Pub lic Service matters.

Native Labour In New

Guinea

New Ordinance Drafted

From Our own Correspondent

Port Moresby, Aug. 5

MAIN details of a new Native Labour Ordinance have been worked out at a conference here between Administration officers and employers’ representatives. The hew Ordinance will embody the Minister’s recent decisions on native labour, which included:— Native Employees’ Agreements to be introduced, abolishing the penal provisions in the present contracts and leaving only civil remedies; The minimum fixed period of employ ment to be 18 months, with provision for a six-months extension; Present employment conditions to apply until December 31, 1950; but contracts unfinished then to continue for the rest of the contract period.

Following the conference in Moresby, a draft Ordinance is being prepared and will be circulated among the bigger employers of native labour, with a view to gettting their comments. Those who attended the conference were Mr. E V Crisp (Planters’ Association of Papua)!

Mr. J. H. Allen (New Guinea Planters’

Association), Mr. G. Bliss (Madang Plan ters’ Association), Mr. J. Leslie (Bulolo Gold Dredging), Mr. A. Baldwin (Aus tralian Petroleum Company), and Admini stration representatives.

His Kingdom

Sydney Flour Man Surveys

THE two Australian exports best known throughout the Islands of the South Pacific are flour and beer.

The men who rep resent the Austra lian manufacturers of both lines be come, in time, al most better known than the Terri tories’ oldest in habitants. Among them may be re called the late

Mr. J. A. G. D’Al

puget, Mr. E. P.

Cohen, the late Mr. Vincent Smith, and Mr. “Billy”

Candler, retired, but far from forgotten. Latest to join the ranks of the flour travel

*1 Mr ’ Co i l iP (“Chips”) Mansell, who * s -«,k ecome Viands representative ol Mango Scott Pty., Ltd., well-known Sydney millers. He has been among the flour-buyers of Fiji (this photograph was taken in July in Raki Raki, where there is neither store nor bakery, but some very attractive native life and scenery!), Samoa and Tonga; and he is now making plans to conquer Papua.

New Guinea, Solomons and French Oceania.

Australian Army

Did Not Forget

£7,000 Surprise for Borneo Natives

IN mid-July Major H. W. S. Jackson of the Australian Ordnance Corps left for Borneo with £7,000 which he will distribute to 100 natives of Borneo and bandakan.

The natives will receive the money in accordance with the risk they took in helping and feeding Australian soldiers who fought in Borneo and who escaped from the Sandakan-Ranau death march.

Three years ago, Major Jackson made a survey in Borneo and Sandakan and on that trip gave about 185 natives an interim payment of £5. He said that it was dear then, however, that about 100 of these natives deserved a great deal more than £5 for what they had done and the risks they had taken.

The Australian government has spent months assessing what the risk that these men took was worth. By some means best known to themselves, they have arrived at the sum of £7OO each, which will be riches to these natives.

Water-colour