Technical Progress

And An Islander's Visions

By F. H., Suva

1 RECENTLY got a request from a manufacturer in Birmingham for an assortment of cancelled Islands stamps. I thought a good practical way to comply would be to wrap up three different copies of the “PIM” and plaster the addressed wrappers over with stamps, as thickly as barnacles on a South-Sea derelict. Out of that may be born rami fications of imnort. Those “PlM’s,” like some strange fish from far-off waters, may swim from hand to hand among the magnates of Brum’s Vulcan forges, foundries and warehouses; visions of Captain Cook’s, Bougainville’s, and Captain Bligh’s days will vanish in a moment, as they note the advertisements displayed within the pages of the “PIM.”

“Are these places where cannibals feasted on our missionaries in the days of our fathers? My eye! What a revo lution has taken place!”

“We believe the slogan, ‘Export or Perish,’ is, all kidney-pie! ‘Export and Cherish’ is the ideal we’re solid for.

Trade needs a chest-expander and this revelation to us of this South Seas field is inspiring. We, and they, being in terested in the progress and the onward march of man must become business pen-friends.”

October’s “PIM” covered matters relative to the commercial devil tries of “ruthless international money powers,” and international monstrosi ties generally chiselling into the copra trade, etc. The worst part of these chilling affairs is their likeness to icebergs, for nine-tenths of their des tructive qualities are hidden from vision.

But the quickening pace and expand ing volume of great technical giants, their chemical and engineering strides now overtaking the world, will have such an impact that within the next two years the whole structure of economics and fi nance may be overwhelmed by a tidal wave of progress, which no combination of Shylock and Babylonian techniaue can withstand. International smart alecry will end in spontaneous combus tion.

Inside a year or two cheap oxygen, at 8/- a ton. as against about £2O a ton to-day, will be on tap. That item alone will give cheao petrol, diesel oil, ethyl, and methyl alcohols and ask any commercial chemist what cheap oxygens will do for a troubled world.

Another factor: Take the helicopter.

Inside a year or two ft will be daily carrying planters and tourists in safety into the most difficult Islands terrain.

Helicopters are now operating an air ferry-system across the Straits of Mes sina. Helicopters are going to replace motor cars in a big way, and their ad vent in the Islands is near.

October “PIM” states that a certain Mr. Rosskellv found oil in Fiji in 1930 decade. Quite possible; and if, and when, a lot of old geological ‘theories are discarded, a tin-field is likely to be unearthed in Fiji. Tin will always be in big demand but, as for oil cheap oxygen will render oil-field exploration and exploitation obsolete.

The big thing to swallow and digest is the fact that all the visions Jules Verne had came into the world later as facts One year’s progress in to-day s lines of invention can beat all those of the past century. Watchman! what of to morrow!

The motor-ship “Reynella,” which was pulled off a reef in Eastern Papua and towed to Sydney some months ago, is now to be towed to Newcastle, to undergo repairs.