Solomons

Future Of The

Some Official Statement Awaited

WE have received many inquiries about the oosition of affairs in the Brit ish Solomon Islands. Communica tions between the Groun and Australia are almost non-existent: nothing is being done for the rehabilitation of industry there and the Administration has made no announcement whatever in regard to the future of the Territory.

Before the invasion, industry in the Solomons was confined almost entirely to copra production. There were several private nlantations, two or three groups of plantations carried on bv small com panies and a large groun owned and operated by Levers Pacific Plantations Ltd.

Very few of the plantations have been restored. Some attempts at rehabilita tion have been made, on behalf of the owners, by the Administration. Few planters have returned, because of lack of transport for themselves, their supplies and their produce.

Levers Pacific Plantations Ltd. have taken no definite steps towards rehabili tation. They, like the smaller planters, are “marking time,” and awaiting some official intimation.

The Resident Commissioner, Colonel O. C. Noel, returned last month from a visit to London, and is now back at Hon iara (new capital of the Solomons); and Sir Alexander Grantham, High Commis sioner for the Western Pacific, expects to visit Canberra, Australia, for consulta tions. So perhaps some official steps may be taken soon to encourage rehabilita tion.

Meanwhile, it is interesting to learn that, in recent months, no less than 55 Chinese residents of the Solomons—most ly traders—have left the Group for China, and do not propose to return.

They took with them some £6o.ooo—much of it the result of profitable trading dur ing the Dollar Invasion (which happily followed the Jap invasion).