Germany's Colonial

Ambitions

Not Interested in the Pacific

has no colonial ambitions vj in the Far East, and that means the Pacific and New Guinea”, said Herr J. E. Schwarz von Berk, former Editor in-chief of the Nazi newspaper, “Der Angriff”, on his arrival in Sydney in Oc tober by air-liner from the East Indies.

“Herr Hitler said this after the An chsluss”, added Herr von Berk. “He said that Germany would never return to the Far East. We never intend to get into a new rivalry with the British Fleet.

It was our first agreement with Great Britain to show our goodwill.

“If we had such a widespread colonial system as before the war we would have to have a fleet, and this would be a new point of conflict. We are interested only in Africa”.

Rhinoceros Beetle

Fiji-Somoan Search for a Parasite

THE Samoan Administration is co-op erating with the Fiji Government in providing funds to send Mr. Sim monds, of the Fiji Agricultural Depart ment, to the East to search for a para site to combat the rhinoceros beetle (says the “New Zealand Herald”). In formation has been received that there is every prospect that the search will be successful. New Zealand Repara tion Estates will contribute 20 per cent, of the Samoan cost.

The damage done to the copra trade in Samoa by this pest has been enor mous, but in the last few months it has not been so noticeable. With the com ing warm, dry weather, however, it may become more active.

The palms affected by the parasite present a pathetic sight. The fronds be come stunted and ragged and no nuts appear. In some cases the trees recover, but it takes years to get back to full bearing.

End Of Measles Epidemic

In Cooks

THE measles epidemic in the Cook Islands is now ended. Restrictions have been lifted and schools re opened. About 700 cases were reported in Rarotonga; and, thanks to the good medical work carried out under Dr. E.

P. Ellison’s supervision, not one case end ed fatally.

Dr. Ellison was away in the Northern Cooks in October, gathering in lepers, who will be taken to the leper station in Makogai, Fiji.

Mrs. Flatten, wife of Rev. G. J. Flatten, L.Th., of the Methodist Mission at Vun airima. New Britain, arrived in Sydney by the “Tanda” recently, to visit her children.