The “Pandemonium”

Government

Letter to the Editor.

I HAVE read with interest the views expressed in the “P.I.M.” by some of the residents in this group, the New Hebrides, deploring the position in which the British subjects find them selves.

While it is true that we British are in an extremely tight corner, and that something should be done to assist the planter and trader until copra in particular shows a substantial recovery, it seems most unfair to cast blame for the exist ing state of affairs upon the resident representa tives of the British Government.

Obviously, the only sort of help that is of any use to the colonist is money, be it in the form of direct bonus, subsidy, or protection; and it is difficult to see how the Resident Commissioner can supply that.

I know little indeed of Administrative affairs, but it appears to me that the Resident Commis sioner’s job and that of his staff is mainly to main tain the prestige of the British flag, and, inci dentally. keep their end up, and to make adequate representation to the Colonial Office of conditions in the group under their administration. These duties are, I maintain, most ably carried out.

One supposes that, for any assistance to be forthcoming, the Colonial Office, acting upon ad vice from the Resident Commissioner, would be obliged to petition the Government for a bill authorising the necessary expenditure and as one cannot doubt that all that has been done, there appears to be little use grousing further.

If the British Government chooses to forget their nationals more or less, languishing in this group, it will not be the first occasion for such for getfulness.

One of your contributors remarked that he had not seen the Resident Commissioner for some years and that he did not care if he did not see him again for a like period. I have little doubt that such sentiment was entirely recipro cal; but one cannot quite get at the mental process of a man who expresses it so.

I have just read your article on the “Pande monium Government,” in your September issue.

You appear to have missed but little.

French colonists may recruit women for house or other work from any part of the Group, no matter how distant, while the British colonists may recruit only women residing within a radius of ten miles from their station. Now, a woman, recruited to work near her own village, is almost completely useless, especially as she may be signed on only for a period of three months. If she breaks a plate, and “Missus” has a few words to say about it, she either runs home and has\ to be re-recruited at some expense and vast trouble, or else she breaks some more plates— perhaps to show her independence—who knows.

Another thing: Explain it as we may, the man who is fortunate enough to have a number of women on his pay roll never has difficulty in recruiting male labour.

I am, etc.,

Marooned.

New Hebrides, 18/11/35.