Monthly” Thanks

“The Pacific Islands Monthly” Thanks Its Readers

WITH this issue (No. 1, Volume IV) “The Pacific Islands Monthly” enters upon its fourth year of life. The journal was launched in the middle of 1930, just when The Depression—the greatest economic cataclysm in the history of mankind—was settling down upon the world; and that it has been able to live and grow, in such circumstances, is surely testimony to the fact that it is serving a good purpose.

The Depression may have little merit; but at least it has wiped out the journalistic weeds and weaklings.

For our continued useful life, we thank primarily our good friends in the Islands Territories, who have become regular readers and have loyally for warded their subscriptions. Our grati tude is given, also, to scores of friends, all through the Pacific, who have written encouragingly and supplied most helpful advice.

But no popular journal can be pro duced on revenue from subscriptions alone. We particularly ask our readers to note that it would not have been pos sible to supply them with this monthly newspaper had we not had the steady support (in the purchase of advertising space) of many Australian manufac turers and exporters. We have had evi dence frequently that our readers care fully study the advertisements in the “Monthly”; and we would specially urge them, when they are writing to advertisers, to state that they saw the advertisement in the “P.I.M.” The more frequently that readers communicate with our advertisers, the better will be the class of newspaper which we are able to produce.

We are anxious to do everything pos sible to assist in the development of the Pacific Islands, and the growth and bet terment of the European population there. To that end, we are gathering and tabulating a great deal of useful information about the different Terri tories. While prices of primary pro ducts remain as they are, and the present state of stagnation exists, there is not much that can be done to assist development. But, sooner or later, the economic pendulum will swing back, prices will recover, and the way will be open for greater progress and improve ment in the Islands. Then, we hope, by giving publicity to Islands opportuni ties, and guarding existing interests against abuses, to give greater and more valuable service to our readers.