Denies Food Shortage At Pitcairn

Northern Advocate, 26 December 1939, Page 8

Denies Food Shortage At Pitcairn

'[Special to “Northern Advocate”'] AUCKLAND, This Day. A denial of the report from Sydney that Pitcairn Islanders desperately needed food, was made today by Mr. Floyd McCoy, who acts as unofficial agent for the islanders in New Zea--land.

He said that, although there had been a shortage of normal supplies owing to vessels being diverted from their usual courses by the Admiralty, the matter was now well in hand. No Need for Evacuation.

The decision of the Federal Minister for External Affairs to ask the British authorities to evacuate the islanders was entirely unnecessary. There was always a plentiful supply of island food, including fruit, vegetables, fish, goats and

poultry to maintain 240 inhabitants.

Arrangements have been made through the Admiralty and High Commissioner at Suva to see that the islanders are not isolated.

Everything All Right.

It was not true that no vessel had called there for six months prior to the report made by a tramp steamer a few days ago. Mr. McCoy said he had received mail dated November 8. stating that everything was all right, though supplies were getting low. A vessel left New Zealand recently for the island carrying 30 tons of foodstuffs and other supplies, and also several islanders returning from Wellington. *