Hawaii Or Alaska?

Which Will Be 49th State

Honolulu, June 10.

THERE is better than an even chance that 1950 will see Hawaii’s aspira tions to Statehood fulfilled. The former schedule, however, of its becom ing the 49th State of the Union must be revised. Due to political considerations, Alaska is being groomed for that honour.

Hawaii must concede pride of place to Alaska because of administrative insis tence that the latter, a Democratic com munity, should be considered first.

Statehood opponents in Washington are said to be counting strongly on the out come of present investigation of Com munist activities in Hawaii. Admini strative position is that evidence of such activities is no bar to Statehood. Hawaii is no worse off in this respect than some States, and as a State could more ef rectually control her affairs.

From a field of 342 contestants. 80 514 voters of the Territory of Hawaii have now nominated 63 who may seek elec tion for membership of the Convention, which is about to meet to draft a Con stitution for the State of Hawaii. In cluded among the nominees is a repre sentative roster of lawyers, housewives, educators, businessmen, tax-experts and land appraisers.

The document they will draw up will constitute the basic code of law to which all subsequent acts of the new State must conform. Since April 30, 1900, when Hawaii became a Territory of the United States, its fundamental law has been the Organic Act imposed on it by the Federal Congress, and not by the people of the Territory themselves.

Samoans In Hawaii

At a recent meeting of the Samoan Civic Association of Hawaii the follow ing officers were elected: Lawrence R.

Coleman, president; David R. McMullin, secretary; Kuresa C. Afalava. treasurer; Kipeni Su’a. vice president. The former three have in various capacities held of fice since the foundation of the associa tion five years ago. Mr. Coleman is presi dent of Samoan Area Airways.

Unemployment

Drastic government action may be needed to solve Hawaii’s unemployment problem, the Governor’s employment committee was informed at its recent meeting. Mr. James H. Shoemaker.

Bank of Hawaii economist, reported that it is a question of whether to keep unem ployed workers on relief, or to put them to work on projects which will increase productivity. The committee, he affirmed, has not conceived its job in big enough terms, and its proposals to date are not adequate.

Hawaii’S Mosquito Plague

Residents of the island of Oahu, site of Hawaii’s proud capital, are vigorously swatting mosquitoes. Private sources have raised funds to supply government workers with chemicals wherewith to fight the pests. The Board of Health re ports it has no funds for this purpose or to buv “fog” machines with which to keep the insects under control.

This is a sorry picture for such a wealthy community. They would do well to take a leaf from the book of less af fluent Tahiti where, in consequence of the campaign against filariasis. mos quitoes have become a thing of the past in the districts affected.

Mr. P. H. Nightingale will act as Finan cial Secretary of Fiji during the absence on long leave of Mr. R. M. Taylor.