Some Changes Suggested

North Borneo

rE British, apparently, are trying to clear up the administrative position in North Borneo. Before the Pacific war, there were four British Territories in North Borneo:— • Sarawak, a practically independent Territory, ruled by the Brooke family, under British protection. • The State of Brunei, under British protection. • British North Borneo, administered by the British North Borneo Company. • The island of Labuan, 40 miles off the coast, one of the Straits Settlements.

It is proposed to bring the whole of the three mainland Territories under one administration. The present Rajah Brooke is reported to have agreed to this —though his Heir-Apparents have objected noisily.

The following is from the October issue of the “Crown Colonist”:— “Discussions have been taking place between the Colonial Office and the Court of Directors of the British North Borneo Company with a view to reaching agree ment on the question of the assumption by His Majesty’s Government of direct responsibility for the administration of the Territory, a development only to be expected in view of events and the need for strong and unquestioned jurisdiction over all territdVy and protection in those waters.

“This has been the inevitable evolution of all Territories under the rule of char tered companies within the Empire, of which North Borneo is now the only re maining example, and the opening of a new era in colonial relations is probably a fitting opportunity for the company to resign its trust into the hands of the Government. There have always been close relations between Government and company in the appointment of the Governor and other matters, and the change will'not be very pronounced.

“The great island of Borneo is un equally divided between the Dutch and the British, but there are two other British Territories adjoining North Borneo—namely, Sarawak and Brunei.

The latter is now part of the Straits Settlements, but Sarawak for over a cen tury has been under the beneficent rule of the Brooke family. One wonders if this will be affected, or whether all British Borneo may come under one administra tion.”

South Pacific interest in this matter lies in the suggestion—made occasionally since Japan invaded the South Pacific and threatened Australia that the Nether lands may be persuaded to accept respon

sibility for North Borneo, in return for the transfer of Western Timor and Western New Guinea to Australia—thus allowing Australia to have more complete control over the arc of Western Pacific islands (Timor to New Hebrides) which are considered vital to her future defence against Asia.

Mr. W. MacDonald Ford, BDS, who arrived by the March “Matua,” has com menced practice in Apia, W. Samoa, as dental surgeon.

Mrs. David Caldwell and her seven months-old daughter, left Sydney rn the “Ormiston” on March 27. They will, join Mr. Caldwell in Madang, where he is in charge of the local hospital.