S. Pacific Commission

Eighth Session in October

THE Eighth Session of the South Pacific Commission will open. at headquarters in Noumea,.

New Caledonia, during the last week of October, and will last for' approximately twelve days.

Consideration of the Commis sion’s work programme in the fields j of economic development, health) and social development, and of re-' commendations regarding it made* by the Research Council of the; Commission at its meeting last: June, will constitute the main itemj on the agenda.

Expert Seeks Best Native

House

ON September 5, Professor Thysse,, of the University of Indonesia,, who is an authority on tropicalJ housing, arrived in Rarotonga to< begin a building survey of Islands* territories. He is undertaking this, task for the South Pacific Com mission as part of its programme* for promoting the welfare of islandl peoples. He is accompanied by his? wife, who will assist in the work.

The survey to occupy 8 to lOC months is to determine, frorm among the wide range of natives dwellings and public buildings inr various Pacific territories, thoses types most suitable for the varying climates and conditions ofi the area. Buildings for study will, include dwellings for families oft varying sizes, schools, halls, health centres and food: storage sheds. He will take intoo account such factors as of materials and labour, and costs.c Furniture needs will also be con sidered in relation to conditions and) resources available.

Territories that Professor Thysse will visit during his survey include the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua and New Guineas and Netherlands New Guinea.

Anti-Filaria Conference

THE first international Antix Filariasis Conference, whicM; was held in Papeete, French; Oceania, in the latter pan of August, is expected to adoi much to the sum of human know ledge respecting this- group of dis e eases—now such a scourge in th*r Pacific Islands.

The recommendations of the Con i ference will go through the Com-r mission to the six constituent gpv’v ernments, for concerted actionc thereon.

A summary of the report of th*r Conference will be published in th»r next issue of the PIM.