Outh Pacific Commission

May Be Community Project In N. Ireland

COMMUNITY development L project, similar to that being carried out at Moturiki, Fiji, ay be undertaken by the Papua ?w Guinea Administration, in co oration with the South Pacific >mmission, on one of the Tabar lands, off the coast of New eland.

The South Pacific Commission is decided to engage an expert to rry out the recommendations of l international conference on ariasis and elephantiasis, held ider its auspices in Tahiti last igust, and to supervise the Com ission’s part in the campaign ainst these diseases.

The Commission has reviewed the eld Research carried out in rritories last year by a tuber losis team. The survey will be mpleted next month, and the Council, at its next meet g, will study the results.

The Commission has authorised a ntinuance of field studies on itrition problems, including infant eding, in 1952, and the collection technical information on itrition from territories.

In conjunction with a survey leprosy, the Commission has ithorised the engagement of a prologist to work in territories lich seeks his services.

The Commission proposes to ar nge a conference of fisheries perts, to take place at Noumea jxt year; and will continue re arch and experiments relating to ,e introduction and distribution economic plants, including im oved strains of coconuts. The Council will undertake a irvey of present and future in istrial development in the islands.

A housing survey of the Pacific discover the type of native veilings and public buildings in trious territories most suitable for ie varying climates and conditions ill be continued next year.

The work of the South Pacific terature Bureau set up this year j the Commission was reviewed - the conference and its con nuance approved. The Bureau’s ain function is to stimulate the 'oduction of simple literature eluding text books and readers, id to promote their circulation iroughout the islands.

An agenda has been approved for ie Second South Pacific Con rence, to be held at Commission Jadquarters early in 1953. The inference is held at intervals of it more than three years and imprises representatives from the rritories, mainly indigenous people, tnphasis will be placed on the

economic aspects of problems of the South Pacific relating to the con servation and improvement of the resources of soil and sea. Other topics include the role of women and women’s organisations in the area, and health education of the peoples.

Miss Violet Withford, from Santo, New Hebrides, arrived in Sydney in December to take up work as a dressmaker. Her mother, Mrs. D.

Hooker, who accompanied her, has gone on to Norfolk Island.