South Sea Regional Commission

Inaugural Meeting Early in 1947

A CONFERENCE will shortly be held in Australia to set up the South Seas Regional Commission. Australia and New Zealand have invited the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the Netherlands to a conference, to be held for this purpose early in 1947.

This statement was officially made on September 27 by Dr. Evatt, Australian Minister for External Territories.

THE Governments mentioned, in re sponse to informal approaches (Dr.

Evatt continued) recently expressed their desire to join with Australia and New Zealand in forming a regional ad visory organisation for the promotion of welfare in the Islands territories in the South and South-west Pacific. Formal invitations have now been issued to them.

The project of a Regional Advisory Commission, for co-operation in regard to territories in the South and South west Pacific area, has been advocated by the Australian and New Zealand Govern ments since the Canberra Conference of January, 1944.

Following upon discussions of the pro ject between the Australian Prime Min ister, Dr. Evatt, and United Kingdom and New Zealand Ministers in London, last May, inquiries were made of the Gov ernments of the United States, France and Netherlands, all of which have direct territorial interests and responsi bilities in the area. All Governments concerned indicated their interest in the work of such a Commission, and their willingness to join in a conference for the purpose of establishing the South Seas Commission in the near future.

Dr.* Evatt emphasised that the pro posed Commission would not deal with questions of defence or security, and would not interfere in political matters.

The main functions of the Commission will be to advise the member Govern ments in regard to the promotion of native welfare, and the economic devel opment of the Islands territories of the area. Mutual co-operation and exchange of information and views between mem ber governments will undoubtedly assist materially the organisation of health and education services for the native peoples, and improve standards of native welfare generally.

DR. Evatt indicated that the territories concerned will be those lying gener ally south of the Equator and east wards from and including Dutch New Guinea to the French Establishments (Tahiti, etc.).

The Australian and New Zealand Gov ernments are gratified at the encourag ing reception given to the plan by the other Governments concerned. The Aus tralian and New Zealand Governments have consistently emphasised the need for such a body in the South Pacific areas. Their views on the subject were clearly expressed in the Australian-New Zealand Agreement of January, 1944.

“The Australian Government,” said Dr.

Evatt, “has always stressed the necessity for planning and co-operation by all Gov ernments interested in the welfare of the peoples of the South Seas. It believes that the South Seas Commission will greatly help the Governments concerned in dealing with economic difficulties, such as those experienced in the thirties when contracting markets and falling prices had devastating effedts on the economic life and welfare of the Pacific Islands peoples.

“In carrying out its objectives the Commission will bring together the ideas and experience of those who pos sess first-hand knowledge of South Seas Territories. Administrators, anthropolo

gists, medical officers, economists, mis sionaries, planters and traders —all can contribute to the effectiveness of the work of the Commission in ensuring that the native peoples, for whom membpr Governments of the Commission are re sponsible, are assisted to improve their standards of living, to develop their ways of life and adjust themselves to the changing conditions of the post-war Pacific world.’,’