Mind if I take a week off?

Press, 21 August 1976, Page 12

Mind if I take a week off?

By

WHIM WHAM

Sir, crossing the Tasman isn’t an Adventure Of Epic Proportions, is it? Hardly Overseas at all, merely to pay Australia a Visit— For Fun, or on Business, e.g. escaping One’s Creditors, or Crimes— I’ve only done it Twice before in my Life (And caught Flu both Times). Don’t mistake Me, I was never a Fugitive From Justice, I went there Unpursued, neither my Arrival nor my Departure Was an Event there.

Ridiculous (isn’t it?) to confess the faintest Flutter of Emotion,

On boarding one of those wide-bodied Wimpy Bars To cross that Ocean — But Australia! The Unknown Continent! I'm told They speak English there — At least, the Italians do—and the Natives Are mostly White, fair Dinkum! and a few of Them even play Rugby Of a primitive Kind— Almost ripe for Self-government, like Ourselves, Or not Far behind.

And of course, we’re ANZUS Partners, etc Whatever this means.

We all get into our Wetsuits and battle bare-handed With Red Submarines?—

I'm out of my Depth in these Indo-Pacifico-Tasman Strategicalities! Join me on the Surface, take a deep Breath, Sir, Think of Realities’ This Game has no Rules or Referees, and if Anyon* Let’s fly a Missile, There’s Nobody Above to tidy up the dirty Play By blowing a Whissile.

And the US in ANZUS isn’t You and Me— It’s THEM, the Nuclear Super-States, and personally I wish Them further— Do I make my View clear" In the Circumstances, I think it's desirable For me to renew Contacts with our nearest-neighbouring Great PowerRob thinks so. too. I hope he’s right I couldn’t think of a bettor Excuse for the Flight. Don’t look for Me next Week, but the Week after That. Of course, I’ll write!