LOST, STOLEN OR STRAYED

Southland Times, Issue 19248, 11 June 1921, Page 11

LOST, STOLEN OR STRAYED

SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA. SYDNEY, May 24. The Commonwealth scientific expedition to New Guinea, which was despatched six months ago to report on the condition and natural resources of the former German territory, now to be administered by the Australian Government, is at present the subject of the wit of the newspapers and politicians. The expedition appears to have been living at Rabaul at the Government expense, and squabbling earnest ly ever since it arrived there. The appointment and despatch of the expedition appear to have been the re suit of one of Mr Hughes’s impulsive schemes. He selected the scientists per sonally, arranged their work, and mappeout the itinerary, and not a member o the Cabinet knew anything about it a until the appointment and departure of th scientists were announced. Therefore, h. Hughes’s enemies are “getting some o. their own back.” The following question has been asked in the He use of Represent atives by the Labour Whip: “I understand that Dr. Campbell Browne and twelve others left for New Guinea in October last. What has become of them ? Are they still there? Or are they lost? Or, if not have they furnished any report to the Ministry on the work they have done ?” “I am afraid,” replied the Acting-Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Cook, “that I cannot, at the moment, say whether they are lost, stolen, or strayed. There are not so many men in the expedition as is suggested—l think the number is less than half a dozen. I have sent an enquiry by radio, asking where they are and what they are doing.” Some of the scientists have come back —among them Commander Rolleston, hydrographer. “There is no question,” he said this week, “that the expedition was the laughing stock of Rabaul. We took with us in the steamer the expedition’s boat, the Wattle. When we left, she comprised only hull and masts. She had to be fitted in Rahaul, and the work occupied months. With regard to Dr. Brown’s plan, or his reasons for hanging on at Rabaul, I know nothing. Dr. Brown was very uncommunicative on the subject, and there is no question that everyone in Rabaul was laughing at the expedition. I wrote recently to Sir Joseph Cook and asked permission to put him in possession of the reasons for my withdrawal from the expedition, but lie has not replied. The expedition already has probably cost £lO,OOO.” —Press correspondent.