British In New

Hebrides

Strangers in a Queer, Three- Dimensional Administration

Elsewhere in this issue, there are references to the Condominium of the New Hebrides, mostly humorous.

But there is a serious side to this ex traordinary administration. There is so much muddle and waste and inefficiency that really it is time that the British and French authorities examined the situ ation. Here, compiled from a series of letters and articles, sent to the are some questions that should be an swered : Why have the Administration sur pluses been hoarded so carefully during the past two years?

Why is the electric light supply con tract being given to a French Company?

Why is the water supply contract for Vila likely to be given to French con tractors and French material being used?

Why do the British not have a Con sultative Commission to discuss the budget, as the French do?

Why should there not be only two Administrative Services in a two-Power Condominium, instead of three?

Why do the nationals of the 3rd Ser vice (i.e., the Condominium) have dif ferent pay, leave and other conditions, to the officers of their own national ser vice?

Why are the Condominium officials still being paid half their salaries in francs at 124 to the £, when the exchange rate is 177 to 180?

Why is nothing being done for the British settlers, for the taxes they pay?

Why no roads for them? Why no assist ance or advice with regard to produce pests? Why no doctors for them? Why are they being allowed to die voiceless, like strangers in a foreign country, while a British Administration is part and parcel of the Condominium Government of the New Hebrides?

Is the British Administration’s atti tude towards its own nationals calculated —so that they are made to feel like foreigners, in an unfriendly land —or is it merely the result of official indiffer ence?

Mr. H. Erskine, formerly Native Labour Overseer at Kulolo, has joined the N.G. Administration as a Medical Assistant.