Commission's Home?

P. Moresby or Suva as Commission's Home?

Letter to the Editor AUSTRALIA probably still cherishes a desire to have the headquarters of the South 'Porifv Commission in Port Moresby, although a more ill-ad vised choice could scarcely be imagined.

Dr. Evatt has never been to Port Moresby.

Possibly he would not be so keen on this site if he had or if it were likely that he would have to spend much time there.

Suva is the logical choice for the site.

It is, now that trans-Pacific airways have been firmlv established, not more than 12 hours’ flight away for any South Pac ific representative. To reach Port Mores bv, it would be necessary to travel via Australia, and then to use New Guinea’s already overworked transport system.

Apart from the fact that Port Moresby has no accommodation for such a Com mission, it would be unfair to the unfor tunate residents of Papua-New Guinea, who already have to share their inadequate transport system with all manner of per ambulating politicians, government ad visers and anthropologists who are always using up good airways space between New Guinea and Australia.

New Guinea residents do not pine for the honour of housing the Commission; they have troubles enough, and the country is in no condition to play host to such an undertaking.

If the Commission does find a per manent home in Suva, there is a possi bility that the Organisation might de velop real practical value. If it is per mitted to come under the domination of Australia, with an Australian of Austra lian Territory home, its days will be numbered.

I am etc..

Territorian

Sydney, 11/3/47.