Future of Solomon Islands

And the Privileges of Public Servants

Letter to the Editor.

SOME months ago, in the “Sydney Morning Herald,” there appeared an article by Doctor C. M. Deland, of Bougain ville (Mandated Territory) who was for some time in the Solomons. He compared the Mandated Territory with the Solomons Islands, as to their respective administra tions, and in his opinion the Bougainville administration is superior. There is a lot to be said for his view and, as Dr. Deland is well known in Australia and the Islands, many will take notice of his opinions. The Tulagi Government people, however, are rather peeved by Dr. Deland’s letter.

It is time, now, that in certain of these growing colonies more representation be given to the residents. Latterly, in the West Indies, the commercial community have asked the Colonial Office for more say in the governing of their own islands.

What sympathy has the ordinary official with the residents of their district? All the civil servants seem to think of is, “When

is my next leave due, and will I be entitled to travelling allowance?”

After all, the commercial people are the ones who keep the wheels turning, or who pay the taxes and wages of the colony.

If it were not for the business firms, where would the wages of the civil servants come from? In Tulagi, at the present time, there are about four Government employees for every white commercial resident.

I am, etc.,

Tulagi, 1/12/35.

Trader.