Solomon Is.

Future

Pro and Anti-Australia

Letter to the Editor.

THERE recently was an article in the “P.1.M.” entitled “The Solomons— Some Reasons Why Australian Rule is Wanted”.

I have lived in the British Solomons for about 20 years, and I have never yet heard a resident of this group express a desire to see the administration taken over by Australia.

I visited the Mandated Territory last December, and the conversations I had, with people of different commercial in terests, only make me more convinced that any change, in the direction you mention, would certainly not be an ad vantage.

It would be interesting if some of the residents of this group, whom you refer to. would put their name to articles ex pressing their desire: because some of us are apt to believe that the mention of them may be only journalistic licence.

I am etc.

D. M. Lazarus.

Tulagi, B. S. I.

Julv 17, 1938.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The proposal seriously entertained in 1936—that Aus tralia should take over administrative control of the Solomons group, and Brit ain’s share of the New Hebrides group, seems to have faded from human memory.

One suspects that it was part of a long sighted defence plan, germinated in the alert brain of Sir Archdale Parkhill; and when that gentleman was defeated in 1937. and gave up the portfolio of Mini ster for Defence, the plan naturally went away into a crowded and forgotten pigeon hole.

It is a pity. It was a sound plan (of defence) and Sir A. Parkhill was an ex tremely able Minister for Defence—as Australia is now beginning unhappily to realise.

However, Solomon Island residents have the consolation of knowing that they are safe for the present. Australia now is not likely to adopt them, and send some job seeking ex-politician to govern them.