Anglo-American Base?

Australians who have visited the Solomons recently are of opinion that it is the intention of Britain and America that they shall jointly use the important naval and air base that has been constructed in the area Tulagi- Savo-Guadalcanal, the scene of so much bitter fighting in the latter part of 1942.

Tulagi is now a fine harbour, with wharves capable of handling 100,000 tons of ships simultaneously, and good roads ashore. Across on the Guadalcanal shore, around Point Cruze (the area called Harira) there is another large base. A thousand American Seabees lately have been there erecting substantial buildings of steel and concrete—no temporary structures.

It is believed that the British Solomon Islands Administration will have its head quarters in this Point Cruze area.

It is reported that it is not the inten tion of the British Colonial Office authori ties to pav compensation to Solomon Islands traders and planters, as has been done in the Australian Territories. The British propose to “rehabilitate” the various properties, and hand them back to the owners in good condition.

Very little has been done to restore the Solomon Islands plantations (including the Lever plantations) up to the present time. But plans are afoot.