REPORT DENIED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 304, 26 December 1939, Page 8

REPORT DENIED.

LITTLE FOOD SHORTAGE

PITCAIRN ISLAND STORY,'!i

A denial of the report from Sydsev that Pitcairn Lslander» were desperately in need of food was made this inornine by Mr. Floyd McCoy, who act* at unofficial a.2ent for the islanders in New Zealand. Mr. McCoy said that though there had 'been a shortage of normal supplies at the island owing to vessels being diverted from their usual courses 'by the Admiralty, the matter of erttpplies was now well in hand. Th® decision of the Federal Minister of External Affairs to ask the British authorities to .evacuate the islanders ttm entirely unnecessary. Mr. McCoy said there was alway*'a plentiful supply of island food, fruit,' vegetables, fish, goats and poultry fo maintain the 240-odd inha/bitants, iviio included about 15 Europeans, but tlrfr depended upon shipping for supplies ff flour, kerosene, soap, matches and other products. In the past it had been customary for two ships to call each month, but with the outbreak of wlr these .ships had 'been diverted.

Knowing what the position would ibe, Mr. McCoy had taken the matter up with the Admiralty and with the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, at Suva., and arrangements had heen made to see that the islanders were not isolated. It was not true that a vessel had not called there for six months prior to the report made Iby the tramp steamer in Sydney a few days ago. He had himself received mail from the island, dated November 8. caving that at that time everything was still all right, though supplies were getting low. Bear-Admiral Bvrd had called at the island, and had radioed to America that there was a shortage of normal supplies there. However, under the arrangements he had made a month ago a vessel had left Ifew Zealand recently for the island. Tt carried 30 ton£ of foodstuffs and other supplies, as well as several islanders who were returning * from Wellington. That vessel would have reached Pitcairn two days after Admiral Byrd was there. "The matter is now well in hand," he said. "The islanders- will not be isolated."