PITCAIRNERS’ FOOD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20130, 27 December 1939, Page 10

PITCAIRNERS’ FOOD

SHORTAGE EXAGGERATED SUPPLIES FROM DOMINION (IVr l’rt'ss Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In a recent cable message it was stated that a tramp steamer had reported to the Commonwealth Minister oi External Affairs that Pitcairn Islanders were in such desperate need that they were practically starving. The message stated there was a suggestion that tile British Government might remove the inhabitants to another place of abode.. When seen in Wellington yesterday, Mr. Robert Christian, fifth in line of descent from the original ringleader of the mutiny on H.M.S. Bounty, Fletcher Christian, said the message could not be right, ns only a fortnight ago between 50 and 00 tons of provisions were received at Pitcairn from the relatives of the islanders resident, in Wellington. He knew these provisions had arrived as they had received word to that effect through the shipping company concerned and the Admiralty. “In any case,” said Mr. Christian, “they might only run short of imported goods, such as flour, tinned meats, oa'mcal, oil. tea and matches. At a pinch they could live indefinitely on what the island produced, bananas, oranges, coconuts, pineapples and practically all vegetables, but even on the score of imported goods the message cannot be right, as I had personally to do with the purchase and shipment of the goods.”