"Antique-hunting in baby Australia seems queerly anomalous, doesn't it? The thought of seeking for any historic relics, other than fossilised kangaroos ... seems utterly ridiculous. Yet this fascinating hobby is being indulged in quite seriously.

"You see, Europe as a happy hunting ground for relic-chasers is entirely closed at present. What are American folk to do then? One of their most important and engrossing of occupations is taken away. Is that the last word on the subject? Good gracious, Columbus, no! They must have historic relics.

"Therefore, when the usual preserve is closed, off they trot to discover and conquer a new world, and, behold, here lies virgin Australia. And the earnest creatures are to be seen fossicking round our antique stores, even our pawn shops for 'genuine' belongings of our pioneers.

"I am sure it only requires a little enterprise to create a boom in the sale of 'original' possessions and photos of Captain Cook, Burke and Wills ... and most of our genuine pioneers.

"An American family just departing for home after a tour of Australia has so enormously increased their luggage with all the 'antiques' they have collected here that a rumour went round concerning contraband. But if customs people break open those capacious boxes they will probably discover boomerangs and statuettes of our nicest prime ministers!"