Coconuts and Loneliness

on Christmas Island

Major a. d. Sinclair, formerly British Commissioner of Christmas Island (Pacific Ocean) was in Auckland, NZ.'on leave during September.

Christmas Islandl is one of the Line Atolls, nominally belonging to Britain— although, according to Major Sinclair, it still has an American garrison there.

Christmas was among the 23 islands concerning which Australasian news papers in May last, reported that America, Britain and New Zealand were squabbling.

They were reported then to be of “mil itary importance”. They had never been used for military purposes by either Britain or New Zealand, either before or during the recent war. Christmas is part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, for administrative purposes.

Captain Sinclair’s wife and daughters were with him for part of his term on Christmas Island and returned to New Zealand a few months ago. As well as being British Commissioner, Captain Sin clair was manager of the Christmas Island Plantation Company, which has 15,000 acres under coconuts.

Sixty Gilbertese are working the plant ation—but it could do with 200. In the last 11 months they have produced 700 tons of copra which they expect will bring about £25,000. Production could be doubled if the labour force were adequate.

The Gilbertese are working under a two years contract.

Supplies and fresh water are the two main problems on the island. Ships call only about once a year, and water comes from the one well on the island.

Colonel John Kerr, Secretary of the South Seas Commission, was among the officials who accompanied Dr. Evatt (Minister for External Affairs), on his trip to

attend the preliminary peace talks in Washington, at the beginning of this month. The UNO general assembly will be held in New York on September 16.