The Disestablishment of Paradise by Phillip Mann Page B

idea,’ whispered Hera.
    ‘Here’s Dr Melhuish again,’ continued Diamond, ‘this time offering advice to a new appointee who has had an argument with one of the members of the SAA. The recipient of
Dr Melhuish’s good advice, Dr Tania Kowalski, is the lady who has accompanied her here to this inquiry. I will read this memo in full, for it reveals Dr Melhuish’s hardening
intransigence towards the agricultural sector.’
    Memo to Tania Kowalski.
    You ask why the aggies are so difficult. They are having a hard time, no question, but underlying that is the traditional xenophobia which seems to spring up so easily in secluded rural
     communities. This can be fuelled by jealousy, a sense of personal failure, a vision centred on the past, by insecurity and, of course, ignorance – all of which are true here. When reason
     fails, men turn to strange gods. When things continue to get worse, they look for an enemy to blame. We are it. We give them solidarity. If we were not here it would be the Space Council or
     they would start feuding among themselves and setting up little fiefdoms. But they never look within. Sad really, because the first settlers were men and women of vision, the pick of the bunch;
     but that spirit has now dwindled and we are left with these secretive and suspicious people who have so upset you. Take heart, brave lady. The other problem is that they see themselves as the
     true inheritors of Paradise and want something to hand on to their descendants. They resent us as interlopers. I once suggested that they should stop trying to farm but should just sit back and
     enjoy Paradise and watch the forest grow. From their reaction you would think that I had suggested they ate their children. Also, like all ignorant people, they are frightened of our
     knowledge.’
    It took five minutes for the chairman to restore order after the reading of this letter. Hera sat silent, no longer staring at the wall but at a place on the ground some metres
in front of her. Even Tania was silent.
    A newspaper report published the next day described Hera as sitting ‘hunched like a woman drunk or immersed in a compelling story, while the storm gathered about her’. Fatigue was
taking its toll. She was hearing her own words but remembering the occasions which gave rise to them. Hearing how easily Diamond’s flat delivery killed any lightness or wit. She realized too
that Jack Stephenson was right: she should have stayed on Paradise. ‘The big boys don’t play fair and they play for keeps.’ Who had said that?
    ‘You have nothing to say, Dr Melhuish?’
    Hera roused. ‘You don’t tell the full story. Why not tell them about the time I stayed up all night and was midwife when the girl up there, Elizabeth Pears, was born?’
    Diamond cut in smoothly. ‘No one doubts you have your fine and gentle side, but this inquiry is concerned with the standard of your leadership, your objectivity and the professional
decisions you made.’ He paused and then added. ‘However, in deference to Dr Melhuish’s demand that I tell the full story, I will now read the full text of her letter to Senator
Jack Stephenson concerning tourism.’ There was an immediate murmuring in the crowd, for the tourism issue had been, and in some quarters still was, a cause for dissension.
    From Dr Hera Melhuish to Senator John Stephenson.
    Dear Jack
    Re Tourism Proposal
    Thanks for keeping me informed on progress. I have just had a long and difficult meeting with the members of the SAA. The tomato crop we had high hopes for after starting
     the seeds off world, putting the plants under polythene and hand pollinating every flower, has failed. Dova Rokka, on whose farm we had helped locate it, found out this morning. She brought
     some of the tomatoes to show us. They had turned black. I cut one open and inside it was just mush and water. I’ve sent them for analysis of course, but I don’t think analysis will
     help much. All I can think is that