Famous Botanist Leaves S.

Pacific Council

May Go To Papua-New Guinea

DR. L. G. BAAS BECKING, a lamous Dutch botanist who formally held an important post in the Netherlands Indies, has resigned his position as Deputy Chairman of the Research Council of the South Pacific Commission. His resignation was accepted with regret by the South Pacific Commission at its meeting in Suva this month.

Dr. Baas Becking intends to spend a few months in the Pacific Islands, and then go to the United States.

It is reported, however, that he may be invited to join the administrative service in Papua-New Guinea, where his know ledge andJ experience of economics, in relation to the effective use of indigenous and introduced plants might be very valuable. For example, it is proposed to grow tea, rice and cinchona (quinine) plants in New Guinea—and all these crons are strongly established in the East Indies, where Dr. Baas Becking spent many years.